'Bomb' blast at cancer; Pill to zap tumours.Byline: Cara Sulieman SCIENTISTS are working on a drug-laden "bomb" to treat cancer. They hope to use a tiny capsule capsule In botany, a dry fruit that opens when ripe. It splits from top to bottom into separate segments known as valves, as in the iris, or forms pores at the top (e.g., poppy), or splits around the circumference, with the top falling off (e.g., pigweed and plantain). to carry the "stealth stealth Any military technology intended to make vehicles or missiles nearly invisible to enemy radar or other electronic detection. Research in antidetection technology began soon after radar was invented. pill" into the body, then explode it near the tumour tumour or neoplasm Mass of abnormal tissue that arises from normal cells, has no useful function, and tends to grow. Cell abnormalities may include increased size or number or loss of characteristics that differentiate their tissue of origin. . Dundee University are the main players in the development of the super-pill, which aims to minimise the side effects Side effects Effects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. of treatment. The small chemotherapy capsule would be injected into the body and tracked on its route to the tumour. When it is in place, ultrasound will trigger the explosion, releasing the drugs next to the cancerous tissue. As the blast is so close to the target, less healthy tissue will be damaged than with traditional drug delivery. Patients would suffer fewer side effects as a result. Dundee University's Professor Andreas Melzer said: "All established methods of cancer treatment have significant drawbacks, in that they cause side effects, require invasive procedures or do not deliver their therapeutic effect in an effective manner. "The aim with all cancer treatment is to target the specific area of the tumour and remove it, while causing as little damage to surrounding tissue as possible and reducing side-effects. Improvement "The methods we are developing would present a significant improvement in each of those areas, compared to current treatments. "The project partners have existing technology in each of the areas we are looking at. "What we need to do is combine the best of it." The pounds 1.7million project has been funded by the EU. |
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