Nanoparticles ‘stimulate antitumor response’ at specific temperature

The precise temperature of nanoparticles to trigger a body-wide antitumour immune response that resists metastatic disease has been discovered by a group of scientists.

Dr Steven Fiering, of Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth and lead author of the study, explained: "Mild hyperthermia treatment of an identified tumor, prior to surgery to remove the tumor, shows excellent promise to strengthen the antitumor response and help stop metastatic disease."

The research, which was carried out using mice and a melanoma tumour model, began by inserting iron nanoparticles directly into the malignancy while applying an alternating magnetic field to the heat particles evenly and at precise temperatures.

By focusing on temperature variables, the team was able to learn that at precisely 43 degrees centigrades, the systemic immune response goes into action.

Dr Fiering said that being able to do this safely means there is a potential treatment approach that is potent enough to stimulate the immune system to fight untreated metastatic tumours.

Jack Hoopes, of Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering, hopes to use this research to test the systemic immune response to nanoparticle treatment in dogs with melanoma, as it is just as fatal to these animals as it is in people.

Once this study is complete, it will be ready to develop for human clinical trials depending on the outcome.