New Nano Weapon against Cancer

Gold nanoparticles with branching polymers could attack tumors in multiple ways

A new class of specially engineered nanoparticles that can target, image, and kill tumor cells could be a potent weapon against cancer. The new nanoengineered system, designed by physician and researcher James Baker and his colleagues at the University of Michigan, contains gold nanoparticles with branching polymers called dendrimers that sprout off the nanoparticle's surface.
The particles could be used to launch a multiprong attack against tumors. The dendrimer arms can carry a number of different molecules, including molecules that target cancer cells, fluorescent imaging agents, and drugs that slow down or kill the cells. Once enough of the nanoparticles have gathered inside cancer cells, researchers could kill the tumors by using lasers or infrared light to heat up the gold nestled inside the dendrimers. The nanoparticles could thus kill tumors "by combining chemical therapy and physical therapy," says University of Michigan researcher Xiangyang Shi, who was involved in the work.

http://www.technologyreview.com/Nanotech/18999/