Proximity-triggered drug delivery particles could reduce side-effects

Developed at Warwick University, the new method uses two so-called parent nanoparticles that are designed to interact only when in proximity to each other and trigger the release of drug molecules contained within both.

The release of the drug molecules from the parent nanoparticles could subsequently form what Warwick calls a third ‘daughter’ particle, which comprises molecules from both ‘parent’ nanoparticles.

The researchers, led by Professors Andrew Dove and Rachel O’Reilly, suggest that this new mechanism could potentially limit side-effects by only releasing the drug where required:

‘We conceive that in the blood stream the particles would not be able to interact sufficiently to lead to release, only when they are taken into cells would the release be able to happen’, Prof Dove said in a statement. ‘In this way, the drug can be targeted to only release where we want it to and therefore be more effective and reduce side effects’.