Researchers targeting the use of nanozymes to treat brain tumors

(CONNECT) Researchers from the Nanomaterials in Health laboratory at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) and the hospital network HOCH Health Ostschweiz, which is also based in St.Gallen, have joined forces to focus on the development of nanomedicines. Known as nanozymes, the researchers are aiming to use these to treat dangerous brain tumors such as astrocytomas, which are often unable to be surgically treated, according to a statement.

Astrocytomas are brain tumors that exhibit aggressive growth and are difficult or even impossible to remove either via surgery or radiation. A team from Empa and the HOCH Health Ostschweiz hospital network, led by neurosurgeon Isabel Hostettler, is exploring the possibility of a new approach on the basis of nanozymes. These nanomaterials display enzyme-like activity and have the ability to selectively cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing them to be applied directly to the tumor. The nanozymes could be activated using near-infrared radiation, according to the press release.

“Since cancer cells have a particularly active metabolism, the drugs specifically accumulate in the tumor tissue”, as Empa researcher Giacomo Reina explains in the statement. By using infrared light for control, dosages can be precisely adjusted, which helps in turn to reduce potential side effects. Initial tests on an astrocytoma cell culture have already shown positive results. The research project is currently set to run for a period of four years, at the end of which minimally invasive therapies for clinical trials should be available. The project us being supported by the Hedy Glor-Meyer Foundation and the Swiss Cancer Foundation, in addition to four other foundations. The hospital network HOCH Health Ostschweiz is a consortium made up of the Kantonsspital St.Gallen, Spitalregion Rheintal Werdenberg Sarganserland, Spital Linth and Spitalregion Fürstenland Toggenburg hospital associations. ce/ww