Scientists from Toronto Children's Hospital in Canada and the University of Toronto have jointly developed a new method called mechanical nanosurgery for treating tumor cells, which is effective even for invasive and chemotherapy resistant cancers. The research results are published in the latest issue of the journal "Progress in Science". Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and invasive primary brain cancer. Although there are currently multiple treatment options such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, the median survival time of patients is only about 15 months. At present, the global treatment standard for GBM patients includes the use of Temozolomide (TMZ) for chemotherapy. Compared with radiotherapy alone, this drug can extend the life expectancy of patients by about two months. However, over time, GBM cells develop resistance to TMZ, reducing its efficacy and increasing the likelihood of tumor recurrence. Dr. Huang Xi, a senior scientist at Toronto Children's Hospital, and Professor Sun Yu, a professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Institute of Robotics at the University of Toronto, have proposed a new method of using precision magnetic control to process GBM resistant to chemotherapy drugs. Huang Xi pointed out that by using nanotechnology to penetrate cancer cells, mechanical nanosurgery is like a "Trojan horse" that can destroy tumor cells from within. Magnetic carbon nanotubes (mCNTs) are nanomaterials that are cylindrical microtubules composed of carbon atoms, filled with iron, and magnetized when activated by an external magnetic field. In the new study, the research team coated mCNT with antibodies that can recognize specific proteins associated with GBM tumor cells. Once injected into the tumor, the antibodies on mCNT will cause them to search for tumor cells and be absorbed by them. Mechanical stimulation can be provided by mechanically moving the nanotubes using a rotating magnetic field. The force exerted by nanotubes can damage the cell structure and cause tumor cell death. Huang Xi stated that mechanical nanosurgery may also have further applications in other types of cancer. "In theory, by changing the antibody coating and redirecting nanotubes to the desired tumor site, we may accurately destroy tumor cells in other cancers. (New News Agency)