Researchers at Osaka University found that the worms may be coated with hydrogel shells that contain payloads such as anticancer drugs. James Bond’s famous Quartermaster Q provided the secret agent with an unlimited supply of equipment and gadgets to help him on his missions. Now scientists in Japan have shown that they are equally adept at providing microscopic worms with a surprising array of useful and protective components. [1]

Figure 1. Scientists have created Worms that can Kill Cancer Cells

Figure 1 shows researchers from Osaka University found that microscopic free-living worms known as nematodes can be coated in hydrogel-based “shells” that can be further customized to transport functional cargo.

Nematodes are tiny free-living worms that usually live in the soil or other ecological niches and under certain circumstances can enter the human body. Anisakis is simple, A marine nematode that can colonize humans when eaten has shown a surprising affinity for cancer cells. [2]

“Anisakis simplex has been reported to sense cancer, potentially by detecting cancer “odor,” and to attach to cancerous tissues,” says Wildan Mubarok, first author of the study. “This led us to ask whether it could be used to deliver anti-cancer treatments directly to cancer cells within the human body.”

Next, the researchers loaded the sheaths with functional molecules and found that this protected the worms from ultraviolet light or hydrogen peroxide. What’s more, the sheaths could be loaded with anti-cancer agents that the nematodes, protected but unimpeded by their hydrogel armor, could transport and deliver to kill cancer cells in vitro.

“Our findings suggest that nematodes could potentially be used to deliver functional cargo to a range of specific targets in the future,” states Mubarok. Given the adaptability of the hydrogel sheaths, this worm-based delivery system holds promise not only for delivering anti-cancer drugs to tumor cells in patients, but it also has potential applications in other fields such as delivering beneficial bacteria to plant roots. [4]

References:

1. https://fitnessformulax.it/scientists-have-created-worms-that-may-kill-most-cancers-cells/
2. https://industry-update.com/scientists-have-created-worms-capable-of-killing-cancer-cells/75465/
3. https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-have-created-worms-that-can-kill-cancer-cells/
4. https://damrea.com/scientists-have-created-worms-that-can-kill-cancer-cells/

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2022), Scientists have created Worms that can Kill Cancer Cells, Anatechmaz, pp.220