Nanoparticles Promise Increased Efficacy in Cancer Treatments

The disease that is commonly known as cancer is just uncontrolled cell growth caused by a host of factors. This growth may be triggered by several diseases, the common ground for all these diseases is the fact that they share the attribute of unrestrained growth of cells. There are more than 100 different types of cancer. The malignant cells of cancer can spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymphatic system.

It is in a single cell than cancer begins. The body is made up of millions of cells, they divide and grow in a controlled manner to keep the body healthy. Old and damaged cells are replaced with new ones. This is a perfectly controlled process that goes on in our bodies to keep us healthy. But sometimes, things go horribly wrong. The DNA of a single cell can change or get damaged. They may mutate, producing abnormal cells that affect normal cell division and growth. When this happens, cells grow rapidly and uncontrollably. The extra cells form a mass called tumor. Cancer is really too many cells than what the body needs.

Modern technological advances witness breakthrough findings in Nanotechnology and its application in medicine. This field is particularly beneficial for the treatment of Cancer. ‘Cancer Research' reports therapies based on nanotechnology with targeted small molecules, in treating cancer. The molecules, otherwise known as nanoparticles, improve the efficacy of chemotherapy. Abraxane is the most commonly used nanoparticle medication. Abraxane, by virtue of being a nanoparticle bound compound, readily dissolves in water.

The many headlines that you read today on cutting edge research and breakthroughs in Oncology may be slightly misleading and could create unrealistic expectations. We are still quite a long way from effective applications of the several promising findings revealed by research. Clinical application of research findings is a typically long drawn out process, it takes years for FDA to approve and millions of dollars in trials and follow up research. Not to mention that for commercially viable production, the market has to accept it.

Besides, most promising research may suddenly find itself at a dead end with no progress in sight. This is the nature of scientific research, it takes dedication, money and time to pursue an idea till it becomes a success in real life.

The positive outcome of all this research is that considerable progress has been made in cancer research. Cancer is now more manageable than ever. We know that the brilliant minds of the research community is progressing in the right direction and hopefully the dreaded disease will soon succumb to a cure.