The nano age and space age have converged in a partnership that could usher in a new era of hope for cancer patients.
There is a major research project aboard the International Space Station. The project could deliver major results, it could change the way chemotherapy is delivered.
This concept involves a reloadable implant, inserted under the skin, which is trained to attack tumors and ferret out hidden metastasized cells. the first experiment launched on Space X-8 last month and is expected to shed light on the mysterious way particles diffuse as they move through tight nanospaces. Researchers worked with particles 50,000 times smaller than the human hair and have previously only viewed their work via computer modeling.
The project is studying the diffusion of drug molecules through nanochannels encased in DVD-sized panels. This has enabled researcher to view the movement of the 2.8 micrometer particles without gravity’s tug.
According to the researchers, space is accelerating their research.
This is a landmark of curing metastatic disease, so it is no longer a death.
Because of the body’s own defense mechanism, most cancer drugs are absorbed into healthy tissue, causing negative side effects with only a fraction of the medicine actually reaching the tumor and making it less effective. The new strategy enables sequential passage of these natural barriers to transport a lethal payload into the cancer’s core.
Next year a clinical study will start, and more than 2,000 people have reached out to researchers to take part. Multiple governments have also reached out in hopes to participate in the clinical study.
