Scientists have developed nanomachines that are capable of killing cancer by drilling into cancer cells and killing them within 60 seconds. These machines are essentially tiny spinning molecules that are driven by light. These molecules spin so quickly that they can burrow their way through cell linings and essentially drill into the cell.
A test conducted at Durham University revealed that these nanomachines took between one and three minutes to drill through the outer membrane of a prostate cancer cell. It was able to kill the cancer cell instantly after drilling into it.
“We are moving towards realising our ambition to be able to use light-activated nanomachines to target cancer cells such as those in breast tumours and skin melanomas, including those that are resistant to existing chemotherapy,” explained Dr. Robert Pak of Durham University.
Once this technique is fully developed, it could prove to be a potential game changer in non-invasive cancer treatment, subsequently leading to improved survival rates and enhanced patient welfare globally.
The scientists discovered that these nanomachines have to spin at two to three million times per second to overcome nearby obstacles and also outpace the natural Brownian motion, which is the erratic movement of microscopic particles suspended in fluid.
The scientists have already performed experiments in microorganisms and small fish. They are hoping to test out this technique on rodents soon. If animal testing proves to be successful it will pave the way for clinical trials in humans.
Filed in .. Source: telegraph