Researchers tout nano explosive's ability to blast cancer cells

We've already seen nanoparticles put to use to help diagnose cancer (in mice), and it now looks like researchers have found another, potentially bigger use for 'em -- namely, to blast those cancer cells away altogether. That's apparently possible by mixing two so-called nanothermite composites that act as a fuel and an oxidizer, which in turn generate combustion waves that can hit velocities ranging from 1,500 to 2,300 meters per second (or somewhere in the neighborhood of Mach 3). Being on the nano-scale, however, the researchers say the explosives can be used safely within the human body and, indeed, they say they have 99% success rate in tests on animal tissue. If all goes as planned (a relatively big "if"), the researchers say the technology could be ready for use in two to five years.

[Via Futurismic]

[zabador @ Jan 28th 2008 11:43AM]

and how exactly do they direct these "combustion waves" so they dont damage other tissue?

[muddyh2o @ Jan 28th 2008 11:46AM]

this is amazing. steve jobs really deserves a nobel prize.

the ipod nano can cure cancer!

[makishima @ Jan 28th 2008 11:50AM]

Don't give jobs anymore marketing ideas :P It's bad karma

[muddyh2o @ Jan 28th 2008 12:04PM]

now we can expect to hear about the iKarma next...

[Ryan Trevisol @ Jan 28th 2008 1:07PM]

I totally came in here expecting to see carnage of blown up ipods.

[CanCar @ Feb 7th 2008 3:51PM]

The iPod nano and the nanoparticles are the same thing? what's your comeback!?

[BigBloke @ Jan 28th 2008 11:50AM]

Yeah, and what happens if you happen to be in the 1% where it doesn't work and it blasts away part of your brain? I guess you could sue em and ask for your money back...dang, you cant actually remember anything.

[Reader @ Jan 28th 2008 12:39PM]

The amount of brain matter would be minuscule and likely not cause any damage. I'm sure it's a lot less destructive then something like chemo that kills a lot more than just the cancer.

Researchers really should stop looking for treatments, there are already a million of things similar to this that don't really ever make it anywhere. A cure is what the next step is.

[ck @ Jan 28th 2008 1:19PM]

If you're unlucky enough to be in the other 1% you can always get a full time job posting comments on tech blogs.

[newgalactic @ Jan 28th 2008 11:51AM]

So how long is it until this nano-explosive is attached to a virus/bacteria, injected into someone's morning coffee, and carried to some vital/small area of the body to await an explosive trigger? I can see it now, Valery Plume will collapse from a small aneurysm while going through the metal detectors at JFK.

[Valgas @ Jan 28th 2008 11:59AM]

Amazing. Nano submarines equipped with torpedoes due to wage war against cancer and viruses in the human body soon?

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jan 28th 2008 12:05PM]

Dude, that was nasty when that chick's eyes went opposite directions. I had that image in my head for several days afterward, and thanks to your post, it's back. Thanks.

[Smart People Play Tuba @ Jan 28th 2008 12:07PM]

@newgalactic

"Valerie Plame." Though I suppose if she blew up from nano explosives, she'd be a plume.

[CanCar @ Jan 28th 2008 12:29PM]

The most important isnt to lose the hope. They have already found cancer treatments, at any time find the cure.

[Generic @ Jan 28th 2008 12:46PM]

sorry that wasn't a fart, its the colon cancer explosives

[Juke Box Hero @ Jan 28th 2008 1:13PM]

Speaking of colon cancer, hopefully they don't use whatever device in that picture to treat it. That thing's nearly a foot long!

[Sinseven @ Jan 28th 2008 2:13PM]

The Nanoparticles are coated with proteins that force them to attach to the cancer cells only, and not good cells.
I've done extensive research on nanoparticles for school, and truly feel they are the future of health care in regards to curing cancer and other diseases.

[VicD @ Jan 28th 2008 2:37PM]

Wonder if this concept can be transferred to other health applications, such as destroying Alzeihmer causing plaque in the brain or clogged fat in your arteries. Whoever can do that will make big bucks and maybe get a Nobel prize.

Ok, to make this a more typical comment, /blu-ray is great, more Apple for the win....

[Turtle @ Jan 28th 2008 6:51PM]

So, it's like Pop Rocks. Sorta. Hey, Mikey!

[Ynohtna @ Jan 28th 2008 1:54PM]

that was awesome!

[john_v_phipps @ Jan 28th 2008 2:49PM]

If I see that my Doctor's name tag says 7 of 9...... I'm leaving.

[John @ Jan 29th 2008 8:05PM]

Not me man, I'm grabbing on to those boobies and hanging on for dear life.

[gralem @ Jan 28th 2008 2:59PM]

Reminds me of The Diamond Age when the chinese decided to take out a prisoner guilty of crimes against society. They have a million of these running through his bloodstream and they all go off at once.

[Mii @ Jan 28th 2008 3:35PM]

I guess they got tired of using nanoparticles as targeted drug/toxin delivery systems and going explosive. I suppose it isn't any worse than some of the drugs they use today, but there's probably an advantage: They can control when detonation takes place, whereas drugs delivered in the fashion gradually build up concentration in the cancer centers, explosives can reach a critical mass around the cancer growth before triggering the destruction.

Does anyone out there find it odd that the picture attached is of a 30cm long object? I'm sure that's the delivery system, but if I saw that, I'd think they were planning to treat me for rabies.

[Ben @ Jan 28th 2008 4:29PM]

It's funny there is an article about this, the younger brother of a very good friend of mine is about to be one of the first human test subjects in this treatment for his Neuroblastoma. The procedure will take place in late February early March.

[Murc @ Jan 28th 2008 10:25PM]

I hope they do a LOT of tests on people before they mass market it.

The first thing I thought of is: I AM LEGEND

[S @ Jan 28th 2008 8:33PM]

Forget poisoning it with chemo,
lets just blow the cancer away!

[SamW @ Jan 28th 2008 8:37PM]

I personally favor the pulsing laser method over these more..exotic methods, but if it works so be it. As long as we don't do what the guys at VirRx claim they can do, can anybody say "I am Legend"?

[Daniele Paladini @ Jan 29th 2008 5:00AM]

actually in germany they are already started to treat human patients with brain cancer with a similar technology, my brother worked at the project. see http://www.medical.siemens.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay~q_catalogId~e_-11~a_categoryId~e_1009405~a_catTree~e_100010,1008643,1009404,1009405~a_langId~e_-11~a_storeId~e_10001.htm

[Tonbo @ Jan 29th 2008 1:26PM]

...Proton therapy is not the same as setting off a mini bomb in your body via remote control. Proton therapy has also been available in the US since 1990. The use of carbon as the ionizing particle is novel, but again, not a bomb. Interesting link though.