Here, we propose a fundamentally different approach of using particles for killing cancer cells: by utilizing the physical force derived from the expansion of stimuli-responsive hydrogels to rupture the cells. 7, 8, 9 There is thus a need to develop methods that use particles for killing cancer cells effectively. These methods, however, also have their disadvantages, such as limited light penetration and phototoxic response. In addition to serving as carriers of molecules, other methods that use particles to treat cancer include photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy. When released, molecules tend to diffuse isotropically outward and affect the surrounding healthy cells.

5, 6 In addition, some molecules (for example, drugs) may lose their therapeutic efficacy over time as patients develop resistance. When particles are used for delivering molecules (for example, chemotherapy), the molecules are not always effective in performing their intended purposes. However, while the use of particles has been successful in some cases, it has its own set of challenges. Particles are versatile and can be fabricated in different ways (for example, functionalization with different types of molecules on the surface) for treatment. These routes of administration are relatively simple to implement and do not require the use of sophisticated equipment (for example, linear accelerators) or highly skilled personnel (for example, surgeons) thus, they can be made widely available to the public. For example, by administering them orally or by injection, the method is minimally invasive to the human body. 2, 3, 4 In addition, the use of particles is advantageous over other methods of treatment of cancer in many ways. One example is the metastasis of cancer: while surgery is incapable of removing cells that have spread, particles can be directed at sites that are not accessible to surgery. In particular, the use of particles with different functionalities can address some of these challenges, and is a common method for treatment.

To overcome the different types of challenges related to the treatment of cancer, a wide range of methods (for example, surgery and radiotherapy) have been introduced. 1 Due to its complex nature, many types of cancer currently remain incurable. This physical approach is conceptually simple, technically easy to implement, and potentially generalizable for rupturing a wide range of cells.Ĭancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world and results in millions of deaths per year. In addition, the force derived from the expanding hydrogel was determined separately to be larger than that needed to rupture typical cells. The results from staining the cells with trypan blue, observing them using SEM, and analyzing them using the MTT assay showed that both breast and lung cancer cells died after the hydrogel expanded hence, we showed that this physical force from the expanding hydrogel is strong enough to rupture the cancer cells. As the hydrogel underwent a chemical transformation and expanded due to the stimulus, the cancer cells attached to it ruptured. The approach involved first allowing cancer cells to attach onto the surface of the hydrogels, and then applying a change in temperature. Specifically, we coated temperature-responsive hydrogels with a layer of cell-adherent arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) peptides. Here, we describe a fundamentally different approach: using the physical force of an expanding stimuli-responsive hydrogel to rupture cancer cells attached on its surface. Using particles with different functionalities for treating cancer has many advantages over other methods (for example, better access to remote parts of the body) however, current chemical (for example, chemotherapy) and biological (for example, immunotherapy) methods still face many challenges.

Face flask dead cells