(^48) SCIENCE NEWS l BioSpectrum | August 2017 | http://www.biospectrumindia.com
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education
and Research (IISER) Pune have successfully
developed a novel cancer drug delivery system using
graphene oxide nanoparticles. The researchers found
that when a FDA-approved anticancer drug cisplatin
was added, the graphene oxide sheets self-assembled
into spherical nanoparticles enclosing the drug within.
The nanoparticles
of 90-120 nanometre
size containing cisplatin
were taken up by
cervical cancer cells
leading to programmed
cell death. Two DNA-
damaging anticancer
drugs, proflavine and
doxorubicin that bind
to graphene oxide through non-covalent bond were
also used. The drugs bind to the DNA strands and
break the strands so cell division does not happen and
programmed cell death ensues.
The cisplatin nanoparticles containing either
proflavine or doxorubicin were found to get into the
lysosomes of a cell in a time-dependent manner. Once
inside the lysosomes, the drugs were released in a
slow and sustained manner and killed the cancer cells
predominantly through programmed cell death.
The researchers are planning to undertake more
studies using other cancer cells and eventually use
animal models. It is anticipated that the graphene
oxide-based nanoplatform will be useful for next-
generation cancer therapy.
A novel organic compound synthesised by a
group of scientists from University of Madras,
IIT Madras and Sri Ramachandra University,
Chennai, has shown it can inhibit the growth of
cancer cells by inducing programmed cell death.
More than 40 compounds were
created using simple starting
chemicals such as glucose and
proline amino acids and their
activities were tested against
cancer cells. The compound
that exhibited maximum activity
at minimal concentration was
selected and named RP-RR-210.
The effect of the compound was
studied on lung and pancreatic
cancer cells. The compound
showed prominent growth
inhibition on cancer cells
but only 20 per cent growth
inhibition in normal cells.
Cancer cells treated with this
compound shrank in size, while
no morphological changes were
seen in healthy cells. The researchers identified
the mechanism of cell death, which was brought
about by arresting the cell cycle.
The researchers propose to carry out further
studies to fully understand the anti-tumour
properties of the compound and carry out
preclinical trials on mice models.
Researchers in Chennai
develop anti-cancer compound
Researchers at the Hyderabad-
based LV Prasad Eye Institute
(LVPEI) have successfully grown
miniature eye-like organs that
closely resemble the developing
eyes of an early-stage embryo.
The miniature eyes were produced
using induced pluripotent
stem (iPS) cells. The iPS cells
are produced by genetically
manipulating human skin cells to
produce embryonic-like stem cells
that are capable of forming any
cell types of the body.
Small portions of the corneal
tissue were separated from the
miniature eyes and used for
growing corneal epithelial cell
sheets in the lab. Such tissue-
engineered cell sheets can
potentially be used for restoring
vision in patients whose limbus
region of the cornea is damaged in
both the eyes.
Stem cells present in the limbus
region of a healthy eye have been
used for restoring vision when
only one eye is damaged. But when
the damage is present in both eyes,
the only way to restore vision is by
using the healthy limbus taken
from a related or unrelated donor.
The team is currently focusing
on testing the usefulness of the
corneal cells grown from iPS
cells in restoring vision in animal
models. Trials on human subjects
will be considered if the animal
experiments turn out to be safe
and effective in restoring vision.
Scientists at Hyderabad grow miniature eyes from stem cells
Pune researchers design
a new drug delivery system
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