Carbon-based nanomaterials have been found to enhance the ability of the anti-cancer drug Paclitaxel to treat of lung cancer.
Both graphene oxide and single-walled carbon nanotubes were found to enhance cancer-cell death in lung-cancer cells when combined with the Paclitaxel, indicating a synergistic effect that has been identified as reactive-oxygen species dependent.
Combination therapies, where more than one therapeutic agent is used to treat a cancer, were first developed to tackle heterogeneity in tumours – that is the presence of more than one type of cell. Typically this involves combinations of different drugs, but the use of carbon-based nanomaterials instead could lower the side effects experienced by patients, while still offering enhanced treatment effects.
Read the full details of this exciting Nanoscale article:
Combination of single walled carbon nanotubes/graphene oxide with Paclitaxel: a reactive oxygen species mediated synergism for treatment of lung cancer
Neha Arya, Aditya Arora, K S Vasu, A. K. Sood and Dhirendra Katti
DOI: 10.1039/C3NR33190C
