New research offers hope for more effective treatment options for peritoneal cancer. Scientists have discovered that nanotechnology can enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy in combating this type of cancer. Astrid Hyldbakk, a researcher at SINTEF Industry in Biotechnology and Nanomedicine, explains that peritoneal cancer is challenging to detect, often leading to late diagnoses and ineffective treatment. The current approach involves surgery followed by chemotherapy, but the drugs used in chemotherapy do not stay in the abdominal cavity for a sufficient amount of time to be fully effective. Additionally, these drugs can cause damage to healthy tissues, resulting in severe side effects.
However, Hyldbakk’s research offers a potential solution. By encapsulating the chemotherapy drugs in tiny nanoparticles, the medication can be retained in the peritoneal cavity for a longer duration. These nanoparticles can also be designed to specifically target cancer cells, minimizing damage to healthy cells.
During her doctoral research, Hyldbakk conducted experiments on mice and rats, injecting the encapsulated cytotoxic agents into their peritoneum. The results were promising, as the nanoparticles remained in the cavity for an extended period, selectively binding to tumors and releasing the medication directly to cancer cells. This approach increased the drug’s efficacy while reducing side effects. Although this treatment is not yet ready for human use, the research groups involved, including SINTEF, NTNU, and the Norwegian Radium Hospital, believe that nanoparticle-based chemotherapy delivery holds significant potential for future peritoneal cancer treatment. Further research and testing are necessary to ensure the safety and effectiveness of this method before it can be applied to human patients.
To advance this technology, the company NaDeNo was established last year in collaboration with SINTEF and the Norwegian Radium Hospital. The goal is to continue developing and refining the nanoparticle-based chemotherapy approach, with the hope of making it available to patients in the near future.
Date: 14. July 2023
