Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have developed an ingenious approach to cancer treatment using nanorobots inspired by the ancient art of origami.
These nanorobots, outlined in a study published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, have shown promise in specifically targeting and killing cancer cells in mice, offering a potential breakthrough in cancer therapy.
Close up of cancer cells in the cervix. Cancer of the uterine cervix, the portion of the uterus that is attached to the top of the vagina. Photo by American Cancer Society/Getty Images
Hexagonal Nanopattern of Peptides
The key to this groundbreaking method lies in a hexagonal nanopattern of peptides developed by the research team.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that, when arranged in a hexagonal pattern, can trigger cell death by organizing death receptors (DRs) on the surface of cells.
"This hexagonal nanopattern of peptides becomes a lethal weapon," explains Professor Björn Högberg, who led the study at the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Karolinska Institutet.
DNA Origami: A Closer Look
One of the challenges in cancer treatment is ensuring that therapeutic agents selectively target cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
To address this, the researchers employed DNA origami, a technique used to create nanoscale structures. They hid the peptide weapon within the folds of the DNA nanostructure, which remains inactive in the body's normal environment but activates in the acidic microenvironment typical of tumors.
"We have managed to hide the weapon in such a way that it can only be exposed in the environment found in and around a solid tumor," says Högberg.
How the Nanorobots Work Against Cancer Cells
The acidic environment surrounding cancer cells, with a pH level of approximately 6.5, triggers the nanorobot's weapon. Under normal conditions, where the pH is 7.4, the nanostructure remains closed and inactive.
This selective activation ensures that the weapon targets only cancer cells, sparing healthy tissues.
In laboratory tests, the researchers demonstrated that the nanorobots remained inactive at a pH of 7.4 but exhibited a potent cell-killing effect when the pH dropped to 6.5.
The research team conducted experiments by injecting these nanorobots into mice with breast cancer tumors. The results were significant: there was a 70% reduction in tumor growth compared to mice that received an inactive version of the nanorobot.
"We now need to investigate whether this works in more advanced cancer models that more closely resemble the real human disease," says Yang Wang, the study's first author and a researcher at Karolinska Institutet.
Are Human Tests Possible?
While these initial results are promising, further research is necessary before this technology can be tested in humans. The researchers plan to explore whether the nanorobots can be made even more targeted by attaching proteins or peptides that bind specifically to certain types of cancer.
They will also assess potential side effects and test the technology in more complex cancer models to determine its efficacy and safety in conditions that more closely mimic human cancers.
The study presents a novel approach to cancer treatment, using a smart, pH-sensitive nanodevice to selectively kill cancer cells by clustering death receptors only in the acidic environment of tumors.
This method shows promise in reducing side effects and effectively treating tumors. With further research and development, this origami-inspired nanorobot technology could become a powerful tool in the fight against cancer.
