Multipurpose nanoparticle ‘offers numerous medical applications’

A new study from the US has detailed the creation of a new type of dynamic nanoparticle that can help diagnose and treat cancer in a number of ways.

Conducted by the University of California, Davis, the research involved the creation of a particle using an easy-to-make polymer to serve a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

For example, they can be used as contrast agents to highlight tumours during MRI and PET scans, or to deliver chemo and other therapies to destroy cancerous cells. In addition, the particles have been shown to be biocompatible, with no toxicity.

It has previously been difficult to combine imaging and therapeutic applications into a single platform, making this a potentially significant breakthrough.

Co-first author Yuanpei Li from UC Davis said: "This is the first nanoparticle to perform so many different jobs. From delivering chemo, photodynamic and photothermal therapies to enhancing diagnostic imaging, it's the complete package."

The study was published in the journal Nature Communications and was funded by the US government, as well as support from charities such as the Prostate Cancer Foundation.