Australian nuclear experts are working on nanoparticles to treat brain cancer. 

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) is assisting an investigation of a promising type of magnetised nanoparticle that could potentially be used in a combined therapy to fight intractable cancers. 

Nanoparticles are small enough to cross the blood brain barrier that prohibits other therapies.

ANSTO has been looking at the magnetic properties of nanoparticles made from lanthanum manganite, doped with silver atoms.

It is hoped that magnetic control could be used to get the nanoparticles to the target cancer site and in magnetic hyperthermia treatment.

“We know the characteristics and behaviour of nanoparticles, consisting of a core and a shell, can be different to that of the bulk material, which is why you need measurements at the nanoscale,” said scientist Dr Kirrily Rule. 

The most promising sample for hyperthermia and cancer toxicity was lanthanum manganite that was doped with a 10 per cent concentration of silver, as it retained a level of ferromagnetism at 300 degrees Kelvin.

Importantly, the biological effects of the nanoparticles and doped nanoparticles were toxic to cancer cells but not the normal cells. The research also helped elucidate how the doped nanoparticles were killing cancer cells by producing high levels of reactive oxidative stress.

The full study is accessible here.