Brazilian scientists use “artificial cells” in a test to fight cancer

There are several methodologies experimented by science in the search for a cure for cancer. The last one was carried out by Brazilian researchers from the Nanomedicine and Nanotoxicology Group (GNano) of the São Carlos Institute of Physics of the University of São Paulo (IFSC-USP) – in collaboration with Hospital de Amor de Barretos (SP) – and uses “ artificial cells” to try a high efficiency.

The technique involves covering nanostructures of different natures with membranes isolated from tumor cells. Thus, these nanoparticles receive a type of camouflage, so that they can be tolerated by the immune system and accumulate in the region where the tumor is.

These membranes will be able to deliver biological characteristics of high importance, through direct interaction with tumor cells. The results of this process are promising, as shown in the article published in the scientific period Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology.

The IFSC post-doctoral fellow, FAPESP fellow and co-author of the article, Paula Maria Pincela Lins, points out that a previously tried format with gold nanoparticles – nanorods – did not interact directly with tumor cells, unlike what happens with cell membranes.

“By comparing these two coating systems, we came to the conclusion that cell membranes have a much more effective action in delivering gold nanorods to tumor cells. What was proved was that, for this treatment, cell membranes interact quickly with cancer cells, being able to efficiently deliver drugs of interest, while extracellular vesicles interact only with the microenvironment where the tumor is located.”

Paula Maria Pincela Lins

IFSC postdoctoral fellow, FAPESP scholarship holder and one of the co-authors of the article

The promising capacity of using extracellular vesicles to carry drugs of interest emerged a year following doubts regarding its effectiveness appeared, in 2014. At the time, a regulation was created to standardize this use for research purposes.

So, what is your assessment of this new study on fighting cancer? Comment with us!