Researchers at RMIT University have developed a new experimental method for cancer treatment that aims to target cancer cells without damaging healthy tissue.
According to the research team, extremely small metallic particles known as “nano dots” can identify cancerous cells and destroy them inside the body. This technology is designed to exploit specific weaknesses in cancer cells, opening new possibilities for more precise and targeted cancer therapies.
The study is still at an early stage and has so far been tested only on lab-grown cells. No animal or human trials have been conducted yet. However, the initial findings suggest the approach could be both effective and less harmful than traditional treatments.
Dr Baowei Zheng explained that cancer cells operate under higher stress levels than normal cells. He said the nano dots increase this stress further, pushing cancer cells to trigger their own self-destruction while leaving healthy cells largely unaffected.
Researchers say more testing is needed before the method can move toward clinical use, but the results point to a promising direction in future cancer treatment research.
