OSU scientists develop new material that destroys cancer cells

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Scientists at Oregon State University have developed a nanomaterial that triggers chemical reactions to kill cancer cells through oxidative stress, while leaving healthy tissues unharmed.

The study, led by Oleh and Olena Taratula and Chao Wang from OSU's College of Pharmacy, was published this week in Advanced Functional Materials.

OSU researchers advanced chemodynamic therapy (CDT), which exploits cancer cells' acidic environment and high hydrogen peroxide levels. The new iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF) generates both hydroxyl radicals and singlet oxygen for more potent reactive oxygen species production.

“Existing CDT agents are limited,” Oleh Taratula said. “They efficiently generate either radical hydroxyls or singlet oxygen but not both, and they often lack sufficient catalytic activity.”

In mouse tests with human breast cancer cells, the nanoagent accumulated in tumors, completely eradicated them and prevented recurrence with no toxicity. It showed strong toxicity against cancer cell lines but negligible harm to healthy cells.

The team plans to test it against other cancers, including pancreatic, before human trials. Additional contributors included OSU's Kongbrailatpam Shitaljit Sharma, Yoon Tae Goo, Vladislav Grigoriev, Constanze Raitmayr, Ana Paula Mesquita Souza and Manali Parag Phawde.

Funding came from the National Cancer Institute and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Read more on OSU's website.