International team devises a dual-surface nanostructure capable of all-in-one detection, diagnoses and drug-delivery treatment of cancer cells.
A first-of-its-kind nanostructure developed by Feng Wang, from the University of Houston (Texas, USA), and a team of international colleagues, carries a variety of cancer-fighting materials on its double-sided (Janus) surface and within its porous interior. This nanocarrier is capable of: transporting cancer-specific detection nanoparticles and biomarkers to a site within the body, holding potential to ascertain a diagnosis earlier than is possible with today’s tools; attaching fluorescent marker materials to illuminate specific cancer cells, for purposes of drug delivery or surgery, and delivering anti-cancer drugs for pinpoint targeted treatment of cancer cells, hopefully reducing side effects.
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Feng Wang, Giovanni M. Pauletti, Juntao Wang, Jiaming Zhang, Rodney C. Ewing, Yilong Wang, Donglu Shi. “Dual Surface-Functionalized Janus Nanocomposites of Polystyrene/Fe3O4@SiO2 for Simultaneous Tumor Cell Targeting and Stimulus-Induced Drug Release.” Advanced Materials, 16 May 2013.