Scientists at Novosibirsk State University and the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry have developed a drug based on iron nanoparticles that allows the treatment of tumors by heating under the influence of a magnetic field.
This was stated by the head of the University’s Nuclear and Innovative Medicine Laboratory, Vladimir Kanygin.
At the beginning of the year, Novosibirsk State University announced plans to begin an experiment in destroying malignant tumors using heating after taking a special drug. Scientists have previously tried to treat tumors by heating the human body, and one of these methods is to immerse the body in a bathtub filled with water, heated to a certain temperature, and wait to see the result. However, this method was very harmful to the body.
“In collaboration with our colleagues in the research team of Alfia Tsygankova from the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, we developed specific preparations based on iron nanoparticles,” the researcher said. “We studied their toxicity, and it turned out that they are low in toxicity and can be used promisingly.”
The scientist explained that university scientists are now in the process of purchasing a device to test the methodology and determine doses and systems for administering the drug developed by chemists. The first results could be achieved by the end of 2026.
Kanigin added: “The devices allow the heating process to be carried out in a magnetic field, where the malignant tumor in the cell is heated to the temperature of protein denaturation, which is 43-44 degrees Celsius when the tumor begins to ‘burn’. This method is more suitable for the human body, and does not require additional protection systems.” The researcher explained that it can be said that the patient places a certain part of his body inside the device.
