New revolutionary nanodrones enable targeted cancer treatment

In a world where cancer treatment breakthroughs are crucial, a team of researchers at the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) has cracked a code that might change the game. Professors Sebyung Kang and Sung Ho Park, along with their ingenious team from the Department of Biological Sciences, have introduced a that could revolutionize cancer treatment as we know it.

Imagine tiny nanodrones, not like the ones from sci fi movies, but ones designed to target and obliterate cancer cells specifically. These incredible creations, called NK cell engaging nanodrones (NKeNDs), might just be the heroes in the fight against cancer. The secret sauce behind these nanodrones lies in their ability to engage natural killer (NK) cells, the body's frontline soldiers against cancer.

Harnessing the power of NK cells isn’t new, but what this team has achieved with NKeNDs is nothing short of revolutionary. What sets these nanodrones apart is their precision. They are engineered to home in on cancer cells like guided missiles. Imagine having nanoscale machines that can seek out specific cancer cells, bind to them, and then unleash the body's immune system to wipe them out.

That’s the magic these NK cell engaging nanodrones bring to the table. The team at UNIST employed AaLS protein cage nanoparticles as the foundation for these nanodrones. By incorporating specific cancer targeting and NK cell recruiting ligands onto these nanodrones, dubbed HER2 @NKeND and EGFR@NKeND respectively, the researchers achieved a groundbreaking milestone.

Binding selectively with cancer cells In lab tests, these nanodrones displayed an impressive ability to bind selectively to different types of cancer cells while rallying NK cells to take down the invaders. Even more astonishing was the outcome in mice trials. Administering HER2 @NKeNDs alongside human immune cells led to a significant slowdown in tumor growth without adverse effects.

Professor Kang Se byung, brimming with excitement, spoke about the potential of this research. He emphasized the possibility of customizing using these NK cell delivery nanodrones. It's not just about targeting cancer cells; it's about doing so with precision and minimizing collateral damage.

Published in Nano Today, this study was made possible with support from various institutions and centers dedicated to scientific progress. With this breakthrough, the door has opened to a —one where nanodrones might just be the superheroes we need in the fight against this relentless disease..