Russian researchers develop dual-action gold-iron particles that kill nearly half of cancer cells
Scientists at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University created disc-shaped gold-iron microparticles that, when hit with both an infrared laser and a magnetic field, destroyed almost 50% of liver cancer cells in lab tests.
Researchers at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University designed disc-shaped microparticles composed of alternating gold and iron layers. Gold enables the particles to absorb infrared laser energy and heat up, whereas iron allows them to be steered and vibrated by a magnetic field. Laboratory experiments on liver cancer cells showed that gold-only particles killed 29% of cells with laser exposure, and iron-only particles killed 17% with magnetic stimulation.
Simultaneous application of laser and magnetic field to particles with an iron outer layer increased cell mortality to almost 50%. The scientists propose delivering these particles in a temperature-responsive gel placed on the wound after tumor excision, then activating them with laser and magnetic fields to target any remaining malignant cells. This approach merges photothermal and magnetic therapies, building on earlier Russian work on smart, drug-holding gels for localized treatment.
Why it matters
Combining laser and magnetic methods could improve post-surgical cancer treatment by targeting leftover tumor cells.
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