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MIT bioengineers have developed a polymer capable of delivering lethal heat therapy and chemotherapy to cancer cells.  The injectable microparticles are fabricated by mixing light-sensitive molybdenum disulfide, a chemotherapeutic drug such as doxorubicin, and the polymer polycaprolactone and creating films that are pressed into various micro-sizes and shapes. 

Using a mouse cancer model, the implanted combo particles were exposed to near infrared laser light that passes through surface tissues and excites the molybdenum to 122 degrees F while at the same time releasing chemotherapy into the tumor.  This therapy eradicated all tumor and led to longer life for treated animals compared with those who received phototherapy or chemotherapy alone.

This clever delivery system is in the early stages of development.  With refinement, it should help prolong the lives of select cancer patients…..someday soon.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.4c07843

#mit #cancer #phototherapy #chemotherapy #nanoparticles

mit, cancer, phototherapy, chemotherapy, nanoparticles