ATP is a target for anti–cancer nanoparticles
Scientists: cellular "energy currency" helps to destroy cancer cells
"For the first time, we were able to use ATP molecules as a trigger for the release of anti-cancer drugs both in vitro and inside the body. We believe that we can improve the accuracy of drug targeting by manipulating ATP levels in certain parts of the body," said Ran Mo from the University of North Carolina at Raleigh (USA).
Mo and his colleagues noticed that many types of cancer cells contain an abnormally large number of ATP molecules. This compound, adenosine triphosphate, plays the role of the "energy currency" of the cell and an energy source for almost all cellular processes.
The authors of the article suggested that a high concentration of ATP in cancerous tumors can be used to "target" them with drugs capable of killing such cells. They tested this hypothesis by manufacturing nanoparticles from three components – shells of organic compounds that help them penetrate into cells, doxorubicin drug molecules in their center and surrounding "chains" of DNA.
Drawing from the North Carolina State University press release:
New Technique Uses ATP as Trigger for Targeted Anti-Cancer Drug Delivery – VM.
These chains were assembled in such a way that they fell apart and allowed the contents of the nanoparticle to leave it only in cases when the concentration of ATP in the environment exceeded a certain mark. Having selected this indicator experimentally on cancer cells, Mo and his colleagues tested nanoparticles in action on mice in whose body breast cancer cultures were implanted.
The nanoparticles acted 3.6 times more effectively than similar doses of doxorubicin, which were directly injected into the mouse body, which opens the way for the use of such a "tip-off" method in medical practice, the authors conclude.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru12.03.2014