Alternative medicine

Researchers at

, University of London, are investigating an external radio frequency (RF) drug-delivery technique that could provide a non-toxic alternative to cancer treatment.

The process works by using RF to heat targeted gold nanoparticles and nanorods embedded in polymer shells of 10-20nm. The increase in temperature alters the capsule permeability to release loaded drugs into targeted areas of disease without damaging the surrounding tissue.

Similar techniques have been explored using the absorbance of light in the near-infrared (NIR) spectrum to heat nanoparticles. A European project, led by

, has been examining the use of ultrasound pulses to trigger drug release in targeted areas of the body (

).

However, researchers at Queen Mary claim that the use of RF to heat gold nanoparticles could prove a more effective tool. Dr Dongsheng Wen explained: 'RF is more powerful in relation to ultrasound. In theory, it can damage the body's cells, but the frequencies we use have a strong reaction to gold particles, which can absorb energy from RF. This raises the temperature of the particles very quickly, causing less damage to surrounding cells.'