Targeted cancer treatment could be in sight, via nanobots, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Dr. Ambarish Ghosh of IISc Bengaluru, was awarded the 2025 Tata Transformation Prize for developing magnetic nanorobots for targeted cancer treatment.
• The nanorobots mimic bacteria movement with a helix-shaped tail and a magnet, enabling them to navigate through blood, tissue, and cells to deliver drugs directly to cancer tissues.
• These nanobots have shown effectiveness against ovarian and breast cancer cells, especially in dense tissues, and can also be used to treat bacterial infections like E. faecalis in root canals.
• Clinical trials are underway for using nanobots in dentistry, with promising results in animal experiments for rebuilding and remineralizing teeth.

Detailed Insights:

• The nanorobots function as nanoswimmers, delivering drugs coated on their surface or tip, with the body made of biocompatible silica and the helix topped with magnetic iron.
• The magnetic field guides the nanobots precisely to the targeted tissue, where they bind to cancer cells without affecting non-cancerous tissues, and can also generate localized heat (hyperthermia) to destroy target cells.
• By adding specific elements, the nanobots can act as beacons during an MRI, helping surgeons pinpoint tumors more accurately, and have shown potential in treating antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in root canal treatments, offering a pain-free alternative to traditional methods.
• The development of nanobots utilizes standard nanotechnology concepts and materials from the semiconductor industry, aiming for a market-friendly adaptation that is acceptable among clinicians and patients, with multiple US patents already secured.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Nanorobots: Microscopic robots designed to navigate biological environments for targeted drug delivery and tissue differentiation.
• Hyperthermia: A treatment that uses localized heat (above 42 degrees Celsius) to destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
• E. faecalis: A stubborn and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria that can cause root canal infections and inflammation.