MORDOVIAN UNIVERSITY HAS DEVELOPED THE WORLD'S FIRST PHOTOSENSITIZER AGAINST TUMORS
The drug of scientists of the Mordovian State University named after N. P. Ogarev is nanoparticles with an extract of Sosnovsky hogweed enclosed in them, which deliver the necessary substances through the bloodstream to tumor tissues.
Scientists achieve a special effect as follows: first, the drug is injected intravenously in the form of a liposomal solution, and after a certain period of time, the tumor is irradiated with ultraviolet light, as a result of which the tumor cells die.
The development is characterized by a high targeting of action, which suggests a low probability of side effects and no effect on the viability of healthy cells. After the introduction of the drug, exposure to ultraviolet light is made only on tumor cells. Without irradiation active substances do not bind to healthy cells and are excreted from the body without harm to it.
According to scientists, at the initial stages, this tool can be used to treat superficial skin cancers, such as baseliomas and melanomas, as well as bowel and bladder cancers.
The development is carried out within the framework of the strategic project of the Mordovian State University named after N. P. Ogarev «Medicine of the future: targeted pharmacotherapy and health-saving technologies» under the program of the Ministry of Education and Science «Priority 2030».