Cancer killers

Cancer Research UK scientists from the University of Glasgow have developed a system for treating hard-to-reach tumours, using nanoparticles to guide a ‘tumour busting’ gene to cancer cells.

Scientists from Cancer Research UK’s Centre for Oncology and Applied Pharmacology at the University of Glasgow carried out laboratory tests on tumours of the cervix, bowel and other cells that line the body. Within 24 hours of treatment, the tumours began to shrink, resulting in prolonged survival in all, and even cures in some cases.

The promising results of these experiments could make it possible to treat inaccessible tumours in humans using gene therapy in the future.

“Gene therapy is a promising therapeutic approach that has been hampered by a lack of efficient and safe means of delivery. The fact that these experiments effectively destroyed the tumours in a lab setting is extremely encouraging news,” said Professor Jim Cassidy, Cancer Research UK’s Director of Medical Oncology at the University.