ENGR0011 Eckert 4:00
Group # RO6
NANOSHELLS APPLIED TO CANCER TREATMENT
Daniel Gordish (dag108@pitt.edu)
Nanotechnology arose from the scientific push towards
miniaturization.
At this small, basic level, “physical
processes can be more easily controlled, accelerated and
exploited” [3]. To be more simply put, since there is a
smaller system present, there are fewer items to be
considered about when dealing with physical and chemical
reactions. When we approach the nanometer scale, “bulk
properties start to give way to molecular and atomic
interactions, often leading to novel phenomena” [3]. One of
these phenomena can be seen in Nanoshells.
NANOSHELL ANALYSIS OVERVIEW
Throughout the contents of this analysis, I will be
discussing the key concepts in the eradication of cancerous
cells and tumors by means of Nanoshells with the use of an
applied external infrared light. In detail, I will be going over
the Nanoshell cancer treatment, why the current
chemotherapy treatment is not as efficient, and how
Nanoshells will make this treatment more effective.
Essentially, these Nanoshells are gold nanoparticles that are
infused into the bloodstream. They are given a specific
amount of time to flow throughout the entire body and enter
the cancerous tumor desired. With the Nanoshells
accumulated in the cancerous tumor, a laser fiber in inserted
into the skin, near or in the tumor. Laser energy in the form
of infrared light is then applied in one or more illuminations,
heating up the Nanoshells. The heat produced by these
shells in sufficient enough to kill the tumor [1]. This process
is far more substantial than the current chemotherapy
treatment mainly because Nanoshells cause far less damage
to the surrounding healthy cells. This quick over view of
Nanoshells in the medical field shows the reader just how
powerful these nanoshells can be. It must be taken upon the
engineer working on the project to follow his code of ethics,
so that the population as a whole is still safe while the
engineer harnesses this power.
Regardless, enhancing the treatment of cancer is a topic
in which I have high regard for because cancer is a vicious
disease that consumes the lives of roughly half a million
Americans each year. With that number, cancer has earned
its spot as the second most common cause of death in
America [2]. By writing about this form of cancer
treatment, I not only learn about beating a terrible disease,
but also learn about the versatility of engineers, and how
they can be useful in treating this disease. But even though
engineers are used in the development of this process, what
makes this process more efficient than other forms of
treatment? Why is this treatment worth investing substantial
amounts of money and research into its development? These
questions will all be answered in the contents of this
analysis.
What are Nanoshells?
Nanoshells are a key aspect and forerunner of this
method of cancerous tumor treatment. They have been
studied for years and are now being utilized for targeted
therapy.
By definition, Nanoshells “are spherical
nanoparticles consisting of a dielectric core and a metal
shell, where the Plasmon resonance frequency is determined
by the relative size of the core and the metal shell layer” [4].
For our specific instance, our dielectric core will be made of
silica, and the metal shell will be gold. Gold has been
chosen to be a sufficient metal for the Nanoshells simply
because it obtains the desired amount of heat from the
infrared light. This proper amount of heat can safely kill the
tumor without causing damage to the surrounding cells. But
how do these silica spheres coated with gold absorb light?
Researchers at Rice University now have an answer to this
question. They discovered that by making subtle alterations
to the particles, such as changing their silica radius, the
shells would react to certain wavelengths of light. In return,
the Nanoshells can covert the energy received from the light
into thermal energy. This is the thermal energy required to
heat up the tumor, and essentially destroy it.
The
researchers decided to make these shells react to infrared
light because this invisible light can harmlessly pass through
the skin, while still reacting with the Nanoshells [5].
THE TREATMENT PROCESS
To begin with the treatment, the bloodstream is injected
with these gold Nanoshells. The shells are given a certain
amount of time to circulate throughout the body and to enter
the cancerous region. When a tumor rapidly grows, this
usually results in a poorly formed blood supply, allowing the
Nanoshells to exit the bloodstream and enter the tumor
through its leaky blood vessels. This way, the Nanoshells
are only contained in the tumor, and not found in any of the
surrounding healthy cells. Any Nanoshells that do not make
it into the tumor are eventually safely and naturally removed
KEY ASPECTS REQUIRED TO GRASP
IDEALS OF NANOSHELL TREATMENT
What is Nanotechnology?
Nanotechnology is a very intriguing science, and the
basis of this analysis. Without a firm understanding of
nanotechnology,
the
analysis
will
be
unclear.
University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of
Engineering
9 October 2012
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Daniel Gordish
from the bloodstream by the liver. With the Nanoshells now
abundant in the tumor, a laser fiber is inserted into the skin,
and pushed into or around the tumor [1]. Infrared light is
then emitted from the fiber in one or more illuminations, for
about four to six minutes. The Nanoshells take in the
infrared light energy, and convert this energy into heat.
During the four to six minutes, the Nanoshells are able to
heat up the tissue in the tumor to roughly 37 degrees Celsius
more than its previous temperature. The healthy cells
around the tumor that do not have the Nano shells inside of
them only increased in temperature by a maximum value of
10 degrees Celsius, which is not enough heat to cause any
permanent damage. The tissues heated with the Nanoshell
particles displayed coagulation, cell shrinkage, and loss of
nuclear staining, which are all indicators of irreversible
thermal damage [5]. However, the healthy tissue
surrounding the tumor remained unchanged. Afterwards, the
dead tumor is reabsorbed into the body, and the treatment
process is complete. This specificity and precision that is
required in completing this cancer treatment is another
reason why I choose to write about this issue. The
Nanoshells used in this process is just one of many ways that
nanotechnology will soon revolutionize our way of life.
because the dangerous toxins used in chemotherapy are not
present.
THE OPPOSITION’S OPINION
So far I have gone over all the positive effects that Nano
shells bring to the medical field. However, there are some
negative aspects that could affect our lives. One aspect
involves privacy. As discussed by the nanoethics group, “As
products shrink in size, eavesdropping devices too can
become invisible to the naked eye and more mobile, making
it easier to invade our privacy” [9]. They further go on to
say, “small enough to plant into our bodies, mind-controlling
nanodevices may be able to affect our thoughts by
manipulating brain-processes” [9]. Different forms of
terrorism may also arise from advances in nanotechnology.
For example, “Nanotech may create new, unimaginable
forms of torture – disassembling a person at the molecular
level or worse” [9]. As we continue in the development of
nanotechnology, we must remember that great power must
come with great responsibility.
WILL THE CODE OF ETHICS BE
FOLLOWED IN FURTHER
DEVELOPMENT?
CURRENT TREATMENT
Chemotherapy
Code of Ethics for Engineers
Chemotherapy is a common form of cancer treatment, in
which toxins “are applied to the body in carefully controlled
doses which are calculated to limit the growth of cancer cells
while doing minimal damage to healthy body cells.
However, since the main action of chemotherapeutic agents
is to inhibit cell division, inevitably noncancerous cells are
also affected and adverse side effects are common” [6].
Chemotherapy also does not always work. Studies have
shown that cancer returns to the patients even after they
went through chemotherapy and all of its negative side
effects [7]. The reason the cancer returns is still unclear and
is questioned by scientists. However, if Nanoshells would
be used to fight the cancer, and it was to return, at least the
patient has not gone through some or all of the devastating
side effects of chemotherapy, which are explained below.
The field of nanotechnology is a very intriguing and
powerful field that could easily be altered to negatively
affect the world’s population. As this field develops further
and further, the engineers who enhance the technology will
need to be extremely trusted by their peers. The code of
ethics for all engineers specifically states that, “engineers are
expected to exhibit the highest standards of honesty and
integrity” [10]. An obvious breech in this honesty can occur
in the third rule of practice, section c, which states that,
“Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or
arguments on technical matters that are inspired or paid for
by interested parties” [10]. A similar statement is also found
in the fourth rule of practice, sections b and c, which state
that, “Engineers shall not accept compensation, financial or
otherwise, from more than one party for services on the
same project, or for services pertaining to the same project,”
and that, “Engineers shall not solicit or accept financial or
other valuable consideration, directly or indirectly, from
outside agents in connection with the work fro which they
are responsible” [10]. Essentially, these statements are
saying that an engineer who follows this code of ethics
should never accept bribes from third parties wishing to
obtain the secrets behind nanotechnology. These third
parties could easily use this compelling technology against
the human race, as a terrorist group or such. It is up to the
engineer to decide whether he will honor his code of ethics,
Chemotherapy side effects
Some of the various side effects that can come from
chemotherapy include fatigue, vomiting, gastrointestinal
problems, oral problems, skin toxicity, alopecia, and eye
problems [8]. All of these negative side effects are one of
the main reasons I feel our cancer treatment should be better.
The patient has already suffered enough from the disease:
he should not need to deal with all these other debilitations.
Although it has not been tested for, these types of problems
would most likely not occur in the Nanoshell treatment
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Daniel Gordish
or cave to the demands of the group to make some easy
money.
Even though it is possible for this phenomenal
technology to get into the hands of the wrong people, I still
believe money should be invested into research. More good
than bad will come from the producing and development of
this technology, and there will always be bad people out
there trying to do bad things, regardless of the situation at
hand.
saw before. For the most part, I always saw engineering as a
person who solves problems involving physical structures
and machines. I never imagined that an engineer would
design ways to cure cancer. I also enjoyed writing about
nanotechnology, especially the phenomenon that can occur
on the nanometer scale. Nanotechnology is an intriguing
study that I am now seriously considering getting into.
Code of Ethics for Biomedical Engineering
The use of Nanoshells in the treatment of cancer is an
ongoing study that gets closer to being used in the field
daily. As of right now, it has only been used on animals, but
returns positive results. Once this treatment process enters
the field, it will completely revolutionize cancer treatment
by being more effective and efficient, while also containing
no present negative side effects. As long as the engineers
developing the Nanoshells keep their integrity as an
engineer, nanotechnology will have no negative side effects,
while are the side time completely revolutionize the process
of treating cancer. By investing money and time into this
treatment, the number of Americans killed by cancer will
significantly drop, and cancer will no longer be known as
such a devastating disease.
Nanoshell Remarks
Another code of ethics that the engineers working on
nanotechnology should follow is the Biomedical
Engineering Society Code of Ethics.
This type of
engineering “is a learned profession that combines expertise
and responsibilities in engineering, science, technology, and
medicine” [11]. Whenever the biomedical engineer is doing
research about using Nanoshells to treat cancer, they must,
“Comply fully with legal, ethical, institutional,
governmental, and other applicable research guidelines,
respecting the rights of and exercising the responsibilities to
colleagues, human and animal subjects, and the scientific
and general public” [11]. If the engineers are respectful and
follow this code, ideally there should be no research toward
hurting the wellbeing of anyone listed above. Therefore,
you should just trust that the engineer would keep his
integrity, and focus all of his research into the positive
development of Nanoshells in the medical field.
REFERENCES
[1] Nanospectra, (2011). “Aurolase® Therapy.” Technology.
(Online
Article).
http://www.nanospectra.com/technology/aurolasetherapy.ht
ml
[2] American Cancer Society, (2012). “How Many People
Are Expected to Die of Cancer This Year?” Cancer Facts &
Figures
2012.
(Online
Article).
http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysu
rveilance/documents/document/acspc-031941.pdf
[3] A. DeMello, A. Woolley, (2010). “Nanotechnology.”
Current Opinion in Chemical Biology. (Print Article). Vol.
14, Issue 5. Pages 545-547.
[4] H. Xie, Z. Wang, A. Bao, B. Goins, W. Phillips, (2010).
“Introduction.” International Journal of Pharmaceutics.
(Print Article). Vol. 395, Issues 1-2. Pages 324-330.
[5] L. Hirsch, R. Stafford, J. Bankson, S. Sershen, B. Rivera,
R. Price, J. Hazle, N. Halas, J. West, (2003). “Abstract.”
Nanoshell-mediated near-infrared thermal therapy of tumors
under magnetic resonance guidance. (Online Article).
http://www.pnas.org/content/100/23/13549.long
[6] M. Clugston, (2009). “chemotherapy.” The Penguin
Dictionary
of
Science.
(Online
article).
http://www.credoreference.com/entry/penguinscience/chemo
therapy
[7] Red Orbit, (2012). “Why Chemotherapy Doesn’t
Always
Work.”
Red
Orbit.
(Online
Article).
http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112543773/whychemotherapy-doesnt-always-work/
WHY NANOSHELLS ARE BETTER
In this analysis, two forms of cancer treatment are
recognized: the current chemotherapy treatment, and the
modernized Nanoshell treatment. Both treatments have been
found to eliminate and destroy cancerous tumors. However,
with all the negative side effects chemotherapy has brought
to the table, none of these side effects have been prominent
in early Nanoshell treatment. Therefore, it is to be expected
that this Nanoshell cancer treatment will be a more stable
and suitable alternative to cancer treatment whenever it is
fully understood and more often practiced.
FINISHING REMARKS
Educational Value: Was it worth it?
Throughout the contents of this analysis, I have dedicated
much time and effort into explaining the Nanoshell cancer
treatment process, the current chemotherapy treatment, and
the ethics that must be followed for these Nanoshells to be
successful. Looking back on this analysis, I do believe this
was worth every second of my time to write for a couple of
reasons. The main reason I enjoyed writing this was that I
got to see a diverse side of engineering that I never really
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Daniel Gordish
[8] S. Williamson, (2012). “Chemotherapy side effects.”
General
One
File.
(Online
Article).
http://go.galegroup.com.pitt.idm.oclc.org/ps/i.do?action=inte
rpret&id=GALE%7CA298012751&v=2.1&u=upitt_main&i
t=r&p=ITOF&sw=w&authCount=1
[9] The Nanoethics Group, (2008). “The bad” The
Nanoethics
Group.
(Online
Article).
http://ethics.calpoly.edu/nanoethics/bad.html
[10] National Society of Professional Engineers, (2012).
“NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers.” Code of Ethics.
(Online
Article).
http://www.nspe.org/Ethics/CodeofEthics/index.html
[11] (2004).
“Biomedical Engineering Research
Obligations”. Biomedical Engineering Society Code of
Ethics.
(Online
Article).
http://www.bmes.org/aws/BMES/asset_manager/get_file/19
110?ver=3480
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I acknowledge my friend Bradley Fulton, a Carnegie
Mellon student, who interested me in the general topic of
nanotechnology during our years as classmates.
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