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University of Mississippi researchers are hoping that one day cancer-fighting drugs could be set in 3D-printed carriers and implanted at tumor sites.<\/p>\n
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University of Mississippi researchers are hoping that one day cancer-fighting drugs could be set in 3D-printed carriers and implanted at tumor sites to destroy cancer cells.<\/p>\n
In a study written for Pharmaceutical Research<\/a>, they\u2019ve already demonstrated that it\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n “This paper introduced a new 3D printing concept called \u2018fresh 3D printing,\u2019” Dr. Mo Maniruzzaman, chair and professor of the pharmaceutics and drug delivery department, said in a statement<\/a>. “It uses \u2018spanlastics\u2019 as a new nano-drug delivery vehicle for anticancer drug delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n Spanlastics are flexible, microscopic drug-carrying bubbles that can get under the skin and deliver medication at a specific site.<\/p>\n Traditional chemotherapy drugs, whether injected or taken by mouth, travel throughout the body. They kill fast-growing cancer cells, but oftentimes also affect hair, skin and the digestive system. That\u2019s what leads to side effects such as hair loss and nausea. Putting the drugs in a 3D-printed carrier and delivering right at the tumor could reduce some of those effects.<\/p>\n \u201cWe actually applied this on breast cancer cells and we got some really, really promising data,\u201d Maniruzzaman said.<\/p>\n The experiments are only the first step in determining if spanlastics could work for cancer treatment. But if implanting it at a tumor site happens before the cancer has spread, it could be critically important, the researchers added.<\/p>\n Subscribe to our twice-weekly, FREE newsletter for the latest manufacturing news and information, including new technologies, educational webinars, podcasts and more.<\/p>\n