Tiny magnets offer breakthrough in prostate cancer treatment

A NEW way of fighting prostate cancer with microscopic magnets shows promise as a treatment for advanced disease, experts said today.

In laboratory tests, magnetic nanoparticles were used to steer therapeutic white blood cells into the hearts of tumours.

The macrophage blood cells were “armed” with a virus which began to replicate after reaching the cancer target. Once infected, the cancer cells were destroyed. At the same time, the virus spread to attack neighbouring prostate cancer cells.

Previous attempts at the same strategy were hampered by the poor ability of macrophages to penetrate deep into tumours.

The new approach inserts tiny magnetic particles into the macrophages which can be moved by an external magnet, dragging the cells with them.

In the tests, the cells were pulled deep into tumour “spheroids” using an external magnetic force.

The more macrophages that could be delivered into cancer cells, the greater the number of cancer cells that were destroyed.

Dr Jay Richardson, from the University of Sheffield, said: “We know that when prostate cancer develops, a type of white blood cells called macrophages flock to the scene.

“Previous research has allowed us to harness these cells to deliver cancer fighting therapies directly into the cancer cells. Now, with some magnetic assistance, we are able to refine this method so that the macrophages reach and deliver the therapy to prostate cancer cells only, leaving healthy cells unharmed.”

The findings were presented at the National Cancer Institute Cancer Conference in Liverpool.

Plans are now underway to test the treatment in mice. If successful, patient trials will follow.

Owen Sharp chief executive of the Prostate Cancer Charity, which is funding the research, said: “Although in its early stages, this innovative research has produced some particularly exciting foundations for the development of a new treatment.

“The researchers have been able to design a new treatment which has the potential to deliver cancer-killing cells to the very heart of a prostate tumour.

“This study... could lead to a new treatment for men living with an advanced form of the disease, where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, who have very few treatment choices open to them,” Mr Sharp added.