University's Scientits Work on the Drug That Will Diagnose and Treat Cancer

15:39, December 4, 2019

Biopolymers can thermally destroy a tumor from the inside without harming patient health

Scientists at the Institute of Chemical Technology of Ural Federal University and the Beijing Institute of Chemical Technology are developing biodegradable semiconducting polymeric materials that can recognize a cancerous tumor and thermally destroy it from the inside leaving zero negative consequences for the patient's body. It is anticipated that the drugs will be non-toxic to patients and help with the non-surgical cancer treatment process. The project received support from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research and the State Fund for Natural Sciences of China for 2019–2022 (grant number: 19-53-55002). On the Russian side, the project is led by Professor Grigory Zyrianov, while on the Chinese side, Professor Zhuo Wang is responsible for its implementation.

“Our drug selectively recognizes and interacts with a cancerous tumor, while avoiding healthy cells. Here how it goes: a polymer molecule consists of links, and, putting certain action on certain links, we get the effect we want. The principle is the following: we introduce a reagent, expose it to microwave and / or photon radiation, and the molecule gives an acoustic signal like an ultrasound in medicine, thus showing the size and shape of the tumor. Then with the long-wavelength optical radiation - in the IR range - we put influence on another link, and the molecule warms up and thermally destroys the tumor,” says Grigory Zyrianov, leading researcher at the Organic Synthesis Laboratory at the Innovation Center for Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technologies.

This is one of the most promising methods for finding and treating cancerous tumors due to its simplicity, flexibility and gentle approach on the body and cells.

The semiconductor polymers that scientists around the world work with today have good visualizing and therapeutic properties, however, in most cases, studies are conducted outside of a living organism. This also happens because the synthesis of synthetic polymers uses catalysts based on heavy metals: palladium, copper, nickel and others, which have cytotoxicity. Microimpurities of metals fall into the resulting polymers. Such substances trigger the process of necrosis inside the cell, and it is extremely important to avoid the presence of traces of metals at the treatment stage, so as not to kill healthy cells.

It is assumed that the polymer used by scientists the Ural Federal University and Beijing University will be non-toxic: researchers synthesize (also using 'green' synthetic methods) biodegradable chemical materials, with a controlled toxic effect. As a result of that, biological tests of the drug can be carried out inside the body. Thus, scientists will be able to obtain reliable data on the effects of the polymer on the human body.

“Our Chinese colleagues will do biological testing next year. This year, our plans include coordination of the working process, joint development of compounds, selection of promising compounds. Using computer modeling, we plan to conduct a preliminary selection and understand which groups of proteins and enzymes our substance will interact with,” explains Grigory Zyrianov.

Since the research has been conducted for several years, as the scientists have gained a significant amount of the results. The group achieved the effectiveness of some of the synthesized polymers obtained with respect to the most typical types of cancer, for example, breast cancer. The scientist does not disclose the details of the synthesis and achievements: the results of the study will be published in scientific journals. In the nearest future, the group will obtain patents.

“Now we are in the process of securing an international patent, and we would not want to prematurely disclose all the results of our research. The introduction of the drug and its distribution on the market is out of the question. For now, the goal at this stage is to basically develop a tool,” says Grigory Zyryanov.