b2815 Tissue Engineering and Nanotheranostics “9.61x6.69”
208 Tissue Engineering and Nanotheranostics
In this chapter, we consider a new method for attracting nanopar
ticles to cancer cells. As difficult as that may seem, the idea is relatively
simple; cancer cells are known to have greater electromagnetic (EM)
fields than normal cells.3–12 These enhanced EM fields are then targets
for charged nanoparticles.
There are currently three traditional methods for treating cancer:
(1) Excision (via surgery); (2) Radiation (focused and repeated); and
(3) Chemotherapy (repeated and varied). Clinically, excision has the
best outcome if all of the malignant cells are removed. Radiation can
also be effective if all the malignant cells are destroyed; but the side
effects of radiation can be harmful: Normal cells may also be dam
aged. Finally, thermotherapy is often a last resort or is used in combi
nation with surgery and radiation. It too can be effective, but often
all of the cancer cells are not destroyed. Since cancer tumors grow
erratically and usually without sufficient oxygen and nutrients, the
tumor recruits blood vessels which expand and also become cancer
ous, and with erratic growth.^11 With this vascular anomaly, the treat
ing chemicals often do not reach all of the malignant cells.
Nevertheless, the tumor is usually shrunk, but over time it recurs, and
the recurring cells are usually more resistant to the treating chemicals.
But if that were not bad enough, the side effects on normal cells are
well known and often devastating.
If we can get nanoparticles to go inside the cancer cells, the
particles can be used for accurate imaging of the tumor and more
importantly, for killing its cells outright either by toxic deposit, by
vibration via external stimulation, or by heating, or also via external
stimulation.
The balance of the chapter is divided into six parts with the
following part providing some preliminary background informa
tion about cell geometry. This is followed by a more detailed
description of centriole development and activity within the cell.
The next part provides a general description of bionano technology
which is then followed by proposed alternatives to traditional
nanoparticle therapy. The final part is a discussion with concluding
remarks.
