Researchers at MIT and the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR) have published a paper in the journal Cancer Research suggesting that nanoparticles may be used to deliver a "suicide gene" to combat ovarian cancer.

"The researchers created an 'artificial virus,' a biodegradable polymer that can penetrate the cell and be absorbed by the body, similar to how biodegradable sutures work... the team tested different compounds until they identified a biodegradable polymer that would be a suitable delivery vehicle," according to RedOrbit. "To create the nanoparticle, the polymers were mixed with a gene that produces a modified form of the diphtheria toxin that is only harmful to ovarian cancer cells."

"Unlike chemotherapy, which can destroy both cancer and healthy cells and lead to many adverse effects, this new therapy specifically targets cancer cells and leaves the healthy cells alone," says the Lankenau Institute's Dr. Janet Sawicki. "Our hope is to begin doing clinical trials in patients in the next 18 to 24 months and then potentially tailor this therapy to treat different solid tumor types including pancreatic, prostate, and cervical cancers."

More here from Computerworld ... more here from The Industry Standard ... and the press release is here.