Scientists have shown that gold nanotubes have many applications in fighting cancer: internal nanoprobes for high-resolution imaging; drug delivery vehicles; and agents for destroying cancer cells. The study, published February 13, 2015 in the journal Advanced Functional Materials, details the first successful demonstration of the biomedical use of gold nanotubes in a mouse model of human cancer. The article is titled, “'Engineering Gold Nanotubes with Controlled Length and Near-Infrared Absorption for Theranostic Applications.” Study lead author Dr. Sunjie Ye, who is based in both the School of Physics and Astronomy and the Leeds Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Sciences at the University of Leeds, said: "High recurrence rates of tumors after surgical removal remain a formidable challenge in cancer therapy. Chemo- or radiotherapy is often given following surgery to prevent this, but these treatments cause serious side effects. Gold nanotubes--that is, gold nanoparticles with tubular structures that resemble tiny drinking straws-- have the potential to enhance the efficacy of these conventional treatments by integrating diagnosis and therapy in one single system." The researchers say that a new technique to control the length of nanotubes underpins the research. By controlling the length, the researchers were able to produce gold nanotubes with the right dimensions to absorb a type of light called “near infrared.” The study's corresponding author Professor Steve Evans, from the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leeds, said: "Human tissue is transparent for certain frequencies of light--in the red/infrared region. This is why parts of your hand appear red when a torch is shone through it."
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