A team of researchers at IIT Roorkee has devised a new technique for curing cancer by creating a NORM i.e. nitric oxide releasing molecule. This team is led by Dr. Kaushik Ghosh from the Department of Chemistry and Dr. Prabhat Mandal, Department of Biotechnology. Although Nitric Oxide is already known for its applications regarding blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular system, its role in cancer hadn’t been explored until now.
External Agent
As explained by Dr. Ghosh, the applications of nitric oxide vary based on the quantity administered. Hence, using a micro-molecule of the compound will have different results as compared to that of a milli-molecule. Since the compound is only produced in the body as the need arises, the team has devised the molecule that acts as an external agent to deliver the NO to the body.
Activation through Light Rays
Since Nitrogen Oxide is highly reactive, its usage and delivery needs to be monitored. Hence the team has developed a photo module therapy where the light helps deliver molecules to the body and the drugs don’t get activated till it receives the light rays.
No effect on other body parts
Interestingly, the current anti-cancer drugs affect all parts of the body having cell proliferation because of which the patients suffer from hair loss due to chemotherapy. Given the fact that NO is diffusible through the skin, the medicine can be applied through an ointment and it can be activated through visible light. This will help in shielding other parts of the body from all the harmful effects.
No harmful Ultraviolet Rays
Until now the use of Nitrogen Oxide in light involved ultraviolet rays which are quite harmful and hence it couldn’t be used for medical purposes. So to counter this problem, the team has employed an organometallic ruthenium nitrosyl complex which produced positive results in visible lights.
