Gold isn't just for jewelry
Microscopic nanoparticles bind to cancer cells, improving imaging.
April 4, 2008
Postdoctoral scientist Satish Nune measures amounts of a gold salt solution to add to a solution of deionized water and a reducing agent on Feb. 18 at the Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Institute. The reaction between the two solutions synthesizes gold nanoparticles.
Postdoctoral scientist Satish Nune explains the processes involved in creating gold nanoparticles to Megan Eyunni on Feb. 18 at the Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Institute.
Postdoctoral scientist Satish Nune measures amounts of gum arabic to add to denatured water to form a reducing agent that was combined with metallic salts on Feb. 18 at the Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Institute. Nune is a member of the research team led by MU cancer nanotechnology director Kattesh Katti.
Postdoctoral scientist Satish Nune prepares a concentration of deionized water and reducing agent before adding a gold salt solution on Feb. 18 in the Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Institute. The hot plate is used to ensure that the experiment's exacting tolerances are met.
Equipment used in the production of metallic nanoparticles is stored inside a fume hood at the Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Institute to prevent contamination.
(Click graphic to enlarge)
The cure for cancer might be just around the corner with an MU team’s recent advance toward its eventual discovery.
MU Cancer Nanotechnology Director Kattesh Katti and his colleagues Raghuraman Kannan and Kavita Katti have combined nanotechnology with chemistry and plant science to further the pursuit of a cure for cancer. Within the past year, Kattesh Katti and his research team have made advances in the medical and technological fields through the discovery of gold nanoparticles, which are aiding in the development of a cure for cancer and other diseases.
“We are generally interested in using nanoparticles for correction of diseases as well as for treatment of certain diseases, with our main purpose aimed to cure cancer,” an excited Katti said. “We have interest in breast cancer and liver cancer, as well as lung cancer.”
Katti’s Nobel Prize-winning breakthrough has contributed to the medical world and scientific community in a variety of ways, including therapeutic treatment of diseases and a possible cure for cancer.
“The field of nanomedicine utilizes nanosized particles to detect, diagnose and treat various diseases including cancer,” Kannan said. “Research at MU is targeted toward utilizing metallic nanoparticles to detect and treat (prostate and breast cancer).”
These microscopic nanoparticles are of such miniscule size that they can attach themselves onto cancer cells. After bonding occurs between the nanoparticles and the cancer cells, the element is then directly transmitted to the cancerous part of the body.
“(We hope the) improvement in imaging of prostate and breast cancers as well as detection of cancer at early stages of development would increase the survival rate for prostate and breast cancer patients,” Kannan said. “Tumor uptake studies in cancer-bearing mice models show high and selective uptake near cancer sites. Localized metallic nanoparticles selectively in tumor regions provide unique opportunities to image and treat cancer.”
In most cases, nanoparticles are created from toxic chemicals that are hazardous to the body. Katti and his research team discovered that by combining soybeans, water and gold salts, gold nanoparticles can be created in a less harmful way.
Because plants contain physiochemicals that are very safe for the body, the team decided to focus on soybeans. Katti said the microchemicals in soybeans have a similar power to produce nanoparticles, a clear indication that soybeans would be helpful toward his goal.
The scientists conducted their experiments on rats and mice as well as on large animals such as pigs to further prove that nanoparticles can be used to help humans. The animal tests proved that in certain types of cancer, such as pancreatic and prostate, the prescribed medications reach everywhere in the body, instead of just one affected spot.
Through the animal tests, Katti found that side effects can be minimized and therapeutic effects maximized with this process.
“This discovery will revolutionize the way that nanoparticles are used in a variety of nanotechnological applications, including medicine,” Katti said. “And that’s part of the reason why I’m developing nanoparticles using nature, such as soybeans, and soybeans are grown worldwide, so people don’t have to depend on a particular chemical.”
Katti and his research team first produced gold nanoparticles approximately 15 years ago during an attempt to find a use for gold metal in cancer treatments.
They perfected the process and began producing the gold nanoparticles themselves between 2002 and 2003. Before this discovery, the only nanoparticles available to them were infused with chemicals.
This breakthrough is one of the first zero-chemical processes in the production of medicinal gold nanoparticles. Before this discovery, nanoparticles were used only in the production of sensors for technical applications, such as cell phones.
“Treating diseases should be regarded as a birthright,” Katti said. “Income, ethnicity, religion and race should not get in the way of it. I want to see my research reach every human being, if he or she needs it.”
Katti recently traveled to Channai, India to promote his discovery at Sankara Nethralaya, one of the largest eye research and eye care institutions in the world. There, he presented his conclusion that nanoparticles can be used toward curing Anderson-Fabry Disease, a common eye disease among the elderly caused by an enzyme deficiency.
“We are establishing a very powerful platform, not just in the MU campus, and one of our major intentions of establishing this relationship between MU and institutions in Asia is so that we can do certain type of work here and then use the expertise of scientists and clinicians elsewhere to join together nanomedicine parts,” Katti said.
Katti and his research team have been awarded nationally and globally for their discovery. In 2005, the research team applied for a proposal that eventually led to the establishment of the Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships on MU’s campus. Due to the team’s national recognition for their ability to produce gold nanoparticles, the National Cancer Institute funded the platform with a $3.1 million grant.
MU is one of 12 universities nationwide chosen for this partnership.
Shortly after receiving the grant, Katti and his colleagues felt that it would be helpful to make information regarding their discovery available for the use of other researchers. This led to the establishment of the first Nanoparticle Production Core Facility, directed by Kannan.
Katti enthusiastically continues his research, the work with metals he’s been doing for 30 years.
“My main objective in life is to see how best my research can help mankind,” Katti said. “Just like the diseases, they’re distinguished by each person. I want to make sure the drugs I design, the pharmaceuticals I’ve designed, would reach everyone, regardless of their income.”
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