Posted on 02/26/2015 6:42:47 AM PST by Citizen Zed
Scientists have discovered that the nanomaterial graphene can target and neutralize cancer stem cells and is not toxic to healthy cells, suggesting it may have potential to treat a range of cancers with fewer side-effects than many current treatments.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy that wipe out the bulk of cancer cells don't always kill cancer stem cells - a residue can survive and grow.
Residual cancer stem cells drive tumor recurrence and metastasis - where cancer spreads to other parts of the body. Metastasis is responsible for 90% of cancer deaths, so any treatment that prevents it will make a huge difference to patient survival.
Cancer stem cells are also thought to drive drug resistance, causing a significant problem for the effective treatment of cancer.
Now, a new study suggests that graphene - a nanomaterial made of extremely thin flakes of carbon that are only one atom thick - may prove to be effective in eliminating cancer stem cells.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalnewstoday.com ...
Good catch. Thanks.
Graphene is amazing stuff. It also shows promise in revolutionizing the battery industry.
BTTT
Bttt
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