“9.61x6.69” b2815 Tissue Engineering and Nanotheranostics
Delivering Nanoparticles to Cancer Cells 221
If the EM charge of the nanoparticle is within a yet to be deter
mined range, the particles will ignore normal cells. Osaka et al.^12
reported on the uptake of 40 nm magnetic nanoparticles into
breast cancer cells while not invading normal cells (2009).
Lin et al.^54 report on the use of carbon nanotubes for targeting
tumors in mice (2008) — it is claimed to be the first such application
with carbon nanoparticles. In 2011, Wang et al.^55 reported the use of
composite nanoparticles for targeting breast cancer cells.
As an alternative, along similar lines, is the targeting of tumor
blood vessels.^44
7. Discussion and Concluding Remarks
Success of the proposed methodology depends upon the following
presumptions:
(1) Cancer cells have supernumerary centrioles;
(2) These supernumerary centrioles form clusters which create an
EM field which is greater than that of normal cells;
(3) This increased EM field of cancer cells creates a biomarker, or
target, for magnetically charged nanoparticles;
(4) Magnetically charged nanoparticles can be developed which will
be attracted to the biomarker and thereby invade the cancer cells
while leaving normal cells unharmed;
(5) External control of magnetically charged nanoparticles can be used
to deliver toxins to cancer cells and/or to image a cancerous tumor.
Of all these presumptions, point 4 still requires development, and
point 2 requires quantification.
At this time, it appears that the most promising application of the
methodology is with aggressive forms of breast cancer, where the tumor
is close to the surface. In such instances, the nanoparticles can be
directed toward the tumor without prior injection into the blood stream.
This raises an additional area for development: How best to
administer the therapeutic nanoparticles?
All of these assertions and issues are likely to provide fertile areas
for research and development for the foreseeable future.
