Magnetic Nanoparticles Successfully Manipulate Human Metastatic Ovarian Cancer Cells

Following a successful study conducted with mouse cancer cells researchers have shown that magnetic nanoparticles can be used to trap and move metastatic ovarian cancer cells of human origin.

Investigators at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, USA) mated cancer cell-specific peptides with magnetic cobalt spinel ferrite nanoparticles. In this study, they employed peptide ligands directed at EphA2 receptors on human ovarian cancer cells. Increased expression of EphA2 receptors is correlated with more malignant and metastatic tumors, consistent with Eph's role governing cell movement during development of the fetus. By using peptide ligands, the investigators hoped to minimize interaction between the nanoparticles and components of the immune system.

Results published in the December 7, 2009, online edition of the journal Nanomedicine demonstrated the successful in vitro capture and isolation of cancer cells from the ascites fluid of ovarian cancer patients. Removal of these free floating cancer cells would be expected to increase longevity by preventing the continued metastatic spread of the cancer.

"We are primarily interested in developing an effective method to reduce the spread of ovarian cancer cells to other organs,” said senior author Dr. John McDonald, professor of biology at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

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