Abu Dhabi, UAE – Researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi have developed smart molecules capable of monitoring and treating cancerous tumors. Which provides more accurate and safer methods of treatment.
The American Chemical Society published details of the study, which focuses on MRI technology, which is widely used to detect tumors inside the body. Unlike traditional compounds that are used for diagnostic purposes only, the research team created a new system that combines diagnosis and treatment within one compound.
Tumor response
The developed molecules consist of manganese along with organic components that are not active in healthy tissue. Rather, it responds to a tumor environment characterized by slightly high acidity. When activated, these molecules release manganese ions. This enhances the clarity of MRI images, while at the same time having a therapeutic effect by damaging cancer cells.
The results showed that the compounds were able to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in glioblastoma tissue. This allows for more accurate imaging of brain tumors that are difficult to detect using conventional methods.
The technology was tested on samples of glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive types of cancer, and showed promising results in terms of imaging accuracy and therapeutic effect. This enhances the chances of applying this approach in the future.
Development of medical materials
Farah Bin Yato, the study’s lead researcher, said the team sought to develop materials that would enable doctors to clearly see tumors and treat them at the same time. Especially in cases of brain tumors that require high accuracy in diagnosis and targeting.
These results herald the emergence of a new generation of MRI technologies that combine diagnosis and treatment in one platform. Which enhances the efficiency of cancer treatment in terms of speed, accuracy and safety.
