The research team at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden has made a major breakthrough in the field of cancer treatment by developing a DNA nanorobot device that can accurately activate the "weapons" it carries in the tumor microenvironment. After mouse experiments, tumor growth was effectively reduced by 70%, providing a new direction for cancer treatment.
The research was inspired by the 1966 science fiction film The Fantastic Journey, which depicts a doctor who narrows down into the human body for surgery. 58 years later, this science fiction concept was realized in reality, and the application of nanotechnology has taken an important step in cancer treatment.
The core breakthrough of research lies in creating a "fatal switch". The research team has previously developed a structure that can organize "death receptors" on the cell surface to induce cell death. This structure is based on six peptides assembled in the hexagonal pattern, while the nanorobot’s head hides six cytotoxic ligands arranged in a hexagonal pattern.
DNA origami technology is key to this study, allowing researchers to precisely control the spatial arrangement of ligands and ensure optimal aggregation of death receptors. This technique is essential for inducing effective cell death and provides a solid foundation for the design of nanorobots.
The activation mechanism of the "fatal switch" depends on the acidic microenvironment around cancer cells. Under normal physiological conditions, the peptide weapon remains inert and harmless, but when the pH drops to 6.5, the DNA structure unfolds, revealing the cytotoxic ligand, triggering the "fatal switch".
The research team conducted experiments in mice carrying human breast cancer xenograft tumors, and the results showed that tumor growth was significantly reduced by 70% after injection of nano-device. This achievement provides new hope for future cancer treatment.
This breakthrough not only demonstrates the huge potential of nanotechnology in the field of medicine, but also indicates that the future extension of human lifespan may no longer be a dream. With the continuous development of nanotechnology, more innovations and breakthroughs will be seen in cancer treatment and other medical fields.
Paper address: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41565-024-01676-4