New Nanoparticle Cancer Therapy

quixote9 tips us to a BBC story on a promising new cancer therapy using targeted nanoparticles. From the article: "The researchers used the nanoparticles to zero in on the network of blood vessels that supply the tumors in mice with nutrients and oxygen... [They] developed a technique for amplifying [the nanoparticles'] homing ability by designing a multifunctional nanoparticle that binds to a protein structure found only in tumors and associated blood vessels... The tests showed that within hours of the injection, the artificial platelets began blocking the supply without harming normal tissues. The scientists believe the nanoparticles could also be used to carry drugs to the tumor."

don't give it what it wants.

[User 956]

The scientists believe the nanoparticles could also be used to carry drugs to the tumor.

I believe in a twelve-step program, they call that being an "enabler".

BRRRRRAIIIIIINNNNNSSSSS!!!!!

[The evil doctor Matt]

"the supply without harming normal tissues", however test subjects did develop a taste for human flesh and could only be stopped by a bullet or sharp blow to the head...

Or even better:

[spun]

When asked for comment on the story, the Governor of California said, "It's not a toomah!" Later, he issued a retraction, adding, "If it bleeds, we can kill it!"

Re:Halfway there, maybe

[spun]

I wonder what happens when the tumor is gone and a tiny little lump of clustered nanoparticles is free to float around on its own.

We send in even tinier, deadlier non-particles to destroy the clumps. I can imagine some of you wondering, "Isn't that a bit short sighted?" Well, then we just release wave after wave of chinese needle nanoparticles. Some negative nellies will no doubt complain, "Isn't that even worse?" But we're prepared for that! We've lined up a fabulous new 'gorilla' nanoparticle that thrives on needles. "But then we're stuck with gorillas?" I can hear you asking. That's the beautiful part, when winter rolls around the gorillas just freeze to death.

Re:Stand in awe

[Fred_A]

Sometimes I look at how things like this work and I am just amazed and somewhat grateful to be living in an age with such incredible technology.

Yes, if you're a mouse you can get cured of pretty much anything nowadays...