ORLANDO, Fla. — For breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, bone damage is a common and painful side effect.
New research by University of Central Florida faculty finds nanoparticles could help cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy reduce their risk of bone damage.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
UCF professor of medicine, Melanie Coathup, said radiation makes bones brittle, and women are more susceptible.
“It becomes weaker, it becomes more fragile and more likely to fracture,” she said.
Read: Biden hopes ending cancer can be a ‘national purpose’ for US
“In breast cancer patients, for example, that can increase the likelihood of long-traumatic rib fractures.”
The researchers designed a cerium oxide nanoparticle and treated animals with it.
“When we gave … nanoparticles, the bone maintained its strength, it maintained its air, we didn’t get this loss of bone,” she said.
Watch: AdventHealth Women’s Health Minute: Breast cancer treatment
They discovered the treatment protected against the loss of white and red blood cells that usually occurs in cancer patients. Now, Coathup said they’re studying whether the nanoparticles could kill cancer cells.
She said they’re applying for more funding for further experiments. But so far, the results are promising.
Read: Breast cancer by the numbers: What you need to know
“I just hope it will reduce the bone fractures that may occur and may hinder their life, causing additional pain and that type of problem,” she said.
The researchers said they hope this breakthrough will help cancer survivors go back to living normal and healthy lives.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2022 Cox Media Group
