Anticancer Drugs Released Directly to Cells

“We looked for a polymer that would easily dissolve in water, and we found, as most appropriate, the polymer produced from the cypress tree,” explains Dr. Yoav Livney of the Technion’s Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Engineering and the Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute. “The cancerous cell produces receptors that absorb the folic acid in much larger quantities than the healthy cell.  The cancerous cell needs this acid in order to divide quickly and grow,” adds Dr. Livney.

“After the folic acid connects to the receptor,…the cell membrane peels inward, creating a depression that turns into a bubble. It unites with another bubble, which contains enzymes that digest the contents of the bubbles [a kind of cell digestive system]. When the PH measure decreases, the receptor releases the folic acid.” The development is especially efficient against ovarian, kidney, and uterine cancer, which are characterized by folic acid receptors. For more information: livney@tx.technion.ac.il