Scientists are first to see elements transform at atomic scale
Byproduct of research may lead to new way to irradiate cancer with gold-bonded isotopes
Gold-Plated Cancer Fighters?
Then Alex Pronschinske, Ph.D., first author on the paper and a postdoctoral researcher in Sykes' lab, suggested that they measure the electrons emitted by the sample without prodding from X-rays in the photoelectron spectrometer. He was particularly interested in the emission of low-energy electrons, which have been shown to be very effective in radiation oncology because they break cancer cells' DNA into pieces. Because these electrons can travel only 1 to 2 nanometers they do not affect healthy tissue and organs nearby.
The team calculated the number of low-energy electrons they expected would be emitted by the sample, based partly on data from simulations used by the medical community. They found that the gold-bonded iodine-125 emitted six times as many low-energy electrons as plain iodine-125.
The gold, says Sykes, 'was acting like a reflector and an amplifier. Every surface scientist knows that if you shine any kind of radiation on a metal, you get this big flux of low-energy electrons coming out.'
The finding suggests a new avenue for radiation oncology: make nanoparticles of gold, bond iodine-125 to them, then affix the nanoparticles to antibodies targeting malignant tumors and put them in a liquid that cancer patients could take via a single injection. Theoretically, the nanoparticles would attach to the tumor and emit low-energy electrons, destroying the tumor's DNA. The gold-based nanoparticles would be flushed out of the body, Sykes says, unlike free iodine-125, which can accumulate in the thyroid gland and cause cancer.
If proven, this approach could be a potential improvement over current radiation therapy protocols, in which doctors treat some cancers by putting radioisotopes, including iodine-125, into tiny titanium capsules and implanting them in tumors. Instead of emitting large amounts of low-energy electrons as the gold-bound iodine does, the titanium capsules inhibit radiation, Sykes says, making such therapies less effective than they could be. He has applied for a patent on the new technique.
Researchers in Sykes' lab are now assessing precisely how the low-energy electrons travel through biological fluids.
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Topic World Spectroscopy
Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!
Topic World Spectroscopy
Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!