Radiotherapy with nanoparticles reduces cancer cells

Ertaş, who completed his education in biomedical engineering and nanotechnology at Başkent and Bilkent universities, later went to the USA after winning a full scholarship for his doctoral studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.

After his doctoral studies, Ertaş worked as a postdoctoral researcher for two years and returned to Turkey at the beginning of 2020 under the TÜBİTAK 2232-International Fellowship for Outstanding Researchers Program.

Conducting research on breast cancer treatment through "tissue regeneration with nanoparticles and biomaterials," Ertaş achieved positive results in radiotherapy applied to cancerous mice by using smart "nanoparticles" in addition to X-rays.

RECEIVED AN AWARD GIVEN TO ONLY 5 PEOPLE EACH YEAR

ERÜ Department of Biomedical Engineering faculty member Ertaş stated that he returned from the USA to serve his country.

Explaining that the state provided support for laboratories, student scholarships, and research upon his return, Ertaş recalled that he received the 2023 Health Institutes of Turkey (TÜSEB) Incentive Award at the 9th Turkish Medical World Congress for his nanotechnology treatment method.

Stating that he received the award, which is given to only 5 people in Turkey each year, as a result of his breast cancer treatment studies on "tissue regeneration with nanoparticles and biomaterials," Ertaş expressed that he is the first biomedical engineer to receive this award.

Noting that cancer patients are treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, Ertaş stated that one of the biggest problems with radiotherapy is that X-rays gradually damage healthy tissues they pass through, leading to numerous side effects such as weight loss, hair loss, or various skin diseases.

NANOPARTICLES ARE ADMINISTERED VIA INJECTION

Emphasizing that the dose of X-rays is important in cancer patients, Ertaş said, "We studied breast cancer in our experiment, but this study can also be tested on different types of cancer. For example, stomach, intestinal, and liver cancer. Specifically in this study, we sent these nanoparticles around the cancerous area. After administering them to the body via injection, we designed the smart nanoparticles to recognize the cancerous area and ensured they clustered around the cancerous tissue. Then, while applying external X-rays, we tried to achieve the same result with fewer side effects by using 2 units instead of 5."

Providing information about the results of the mouse experiments, Ertaş continued:

"In the experiments, when we gave (the mice) nothing, the tumorous tissue could grow 4-5 times in a month. When we only gave X-rays, the growth rate of the tumor decreased, but it was not completely eliminated. However, when nanoparticle injection and X-rays were given in specific ratios, the sizes of the tumors could either be kept stable or decreased significantly in some mice; in some experimental groups, we even saw that the tumor was completely eliminated. These studies were published in the world's leading prestigious scientific journals."

REDUCES THE RISK OF METASTASIS

Ertaş stated that groups of cancerous cells can remain at the micro-level in tissues where the tumor is removed surgically, and these cells can metastasize (spread) after 3-5 years, adding that the nanotechnology they applied also kills tumorous tissues at the micro-level, eliminating the risk of spread.

Explaining that they will soon move on to clinical trials following the mouse experiments, Ertaş provided the following information about the nanotechnology used in the treatment:

"The sizes of the nanoparticles we use are about 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair and they have a metallic structure. Why a metallic structure? When X-rays hit metal, the scattered electrons produce different molecules in the cell, and these molecules kill the cell. That is why we produce the particles in a metallic structure because we want them to scatter many electrons. When X-rays are applied, we want to kill more cancer cells with these scattered electrons."