Nanotechnology has cure for critical diseases like Ebola and Cancer

At a pace with which medical science is evolving, days are not far when doctors would have elixir in their hands to save lives—what if, only for few days. The only sad part, as we see it, is that with all the advancements in the medical science, we are not able to prevent new critical diseases from emerging and taking lives. Take for instance the Ebola virus that has taken so many lives in last one year. But, now it seems, scientists have found a cure for Ebola and other critical diseases like cancer in nanoscience. Let’s have a look at this science, its various applications and a list of possible cures that it promises.

Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are fragments of a material which are minute in nature and are not visible to the naked eye. According to Merriam Webster, Nanoparticle is a microscopic particle whose size is measured in nanometres ranging from 100 to 2500 nanometres. These particles are beneficial due to their function in medical field because their advanced ability to transfer drugs / medicines to specific parts of the body. Because of their contribution in the field they are indeed a Medical Innovation.

The study of nanoparticles is called Nanotechnology, which is gaining huge attraction in healthcare industry. The ability of nanoparticles to get attached to the drugs, metals and minerals so as to fight against life threatening cancer cells and viruses is the core of the technology. Nanotechnology is commonly used in treating cancer by using nanoparticles such as nanodiamonds in chemotherapy and research. Nanoparticle can diffuse light when it comes into contact with energy but the colour of the light depends on the size of the particle.
The main objectives of introducing nanoparticles in medical field are to get more of the drug to the target cells and to reduce the side effects of the free drug on other organs of the body.

Image Source- Azonano

Application of Nanoparticle in Medical Industry
The treatment can be enhanced and can be made effective via two ways; either use less radiations, which can reduce adverse effects on patients, but that treatment is time consuming or by boosting the ability of current doses to kill more cancer. And for boosting the ability of dose targeted use of nanoparticles is prevailing. Further other applications of Nanoparticles in the industry include:
· Drug delivery systems
· Gene delivery systems in gene therapy
· For biological detection of disease causing organisms and diagnosis
· Detection of proteins
· The monitoring of the disease progression
· Probing of DNA structure
· In MRI studies
· In pharmacokinetic studies.
· In Therapeutics (a treatment, therapy, or drug)
· In biomedical Imaging (creating visual representations of the interior of a body for clinical analysis and medical intervention)
· To visualize tumours more accurately, with respect not only to the margins and extent but also to distinguish between the active and inactive regions.

• In the area of medical sensors.

Nanoparticles for treatment of Cancer:


Image source: GlobalMedicalDiscovery

Cancer treatment has always been an area of concern and continuous development. According to medical journals, nanoparticles absorb light energy and convert into heat which is later used to target and kill specific cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is a familiar therapy for cancer but the radiation in chemotherapy has its own side effects like hair loss, ulcer, gastric issues etc. Scientists have found that targeted use of Nanoparticles like:

· Bismuth: It is used in radiation to treat cancer tumours. This can have tremendous effect on chemotherapy patients as these particles can be administered to a specific area at a set dosage. This ensures minimal exposure and damage to internal body organs.

· Gold nanoparticles: Studies show that with their unique properties, Gold nanoparticles can increase the effectiveness of radiation in killing cancer cells. The gold nanoparticles act like tiny antennas that concentrate the radiation in the area around them.

· Twin nanoparticles: Tumours contain different types of cells and there are cancer stem cells which have this ability of self-renew and differentiate and with chemotherapy and radiations, these cells mainly relapse. Also, tumour cells secrete various growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which triggers endothelial cells to form new capillaries. Prevention of expansion of new blood vessel networks again result in reduced tumour size and metastasis. The twin nanoparticles are nanoparticles of iron coated with gold where one particle recognizes cancer stem cell, and another conjugated nanoparticle recognizes VEGF positive cells, thereby inhibiting endothelial cells in the proximity of cancer stem cell. The picture below clearly explains the process of this twin nanoparticle.



Nanoparticles for treatment of Ebola:
When Ebola hit across the world, scientists went on to research and devise methods to use silver nanoparticles to treat the deadly disease. Initial studies show that silver discharges antimicrobial particles called colloidal Nano silver, which fights infections and this has been proven by our ancestors who used silver cutlery! Silver increases our immunity and fights all toxins, infections in our body and the same concept is applied in treating Ebola.

US researchers have found out that cerium oxide nanoparticle act as anti-oxidant to remove oxygen free radicals from bloodstream post injury and release at a much relaxed state. Certain nanoparticles made from gelatin are used to push medicine to damaged brain tissue.

Image source: ISGTW

But not all is hunky dory with nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is being touted as the future of medicine but there is a still long way to go. The true potential of nanoparticle is still not completely proven. There are various concerns surrounding the technology and its receptivity. Nanoparticle act as a carrier between the medicine and the disease in our body. When the particle is filled with medicine, the nature of the particle changes. This might lead to superfluous exposure of our internal organs inside the body because the absorption capacity of these nanoparticles is still debatable.
There are umpteen talks on nanotechnology, nanoparticles in product advertising or bring out research papers on Nano science. One needs to understand that exposure to human or ecological factors might change the behaviour of nanoparticles. These changes are not chronicled or completely researched. Once these particles are inside human body, they turn hostile and sometimes block the blood flow. Certain nanoparticles can affect regulatory mechanisms of enzymes and proteins. Coming to environmental effects, nanoparticles fall under non bio degradable waste which cannot be removed from our surroundings.

Another challenge which researchers face is to make sure that nanoparticles attack the virus or cancer cells rather than attacking healthy cells.
Also, the problems of toxicity and in particular how organs like the kidneys and liver ejects these nanoparticles after they've been used, is the subject of medical investigation.

One thing must be noticed about the innovation and that is Nano particles come with big benefits and big risks. Proper diagnosis is important before its usage in critical diseases. It is good to take a medical second opinion on your drug delivery, its affects and side effects on your body.

(About the author: This article has been written by Ashish Dhar, Founder Director, Grandopinion)