Introduction
Cancer
cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, unlike other healthy cells that grow divide and eventually die as usual. But cancer cells avoid programmed cell death with its unlimited number of cell divisions.
Magnetocaloric Effect
it is the phenomenon in which temperature change of a suitable material is caused by exposing the material to a changing magnetic field.
With its extensive use in the refrigeration industry, this property can be harnessed for reducing the side-effects of cancer treatments.
This effect usually occurs in the vicinity of the Curie temperature in which certain materials become warmer or cooler by applying and removing a magnetic field respectively
Magnetocaloric materials are the rare earth materials that demonstrate this effect.
For example -Gadolinium and its alloys. Gadolinium appears silvery colored metal which is only slightly malleable and is a ductile, rare earth element. It's mining areas are found in Sri Lanka, India, Australia, US, Brazil, and China
Hyperthermia
It is the procedure used in the treatment where the cells in the body are exposed to higher than average temperatures, leading to the changes taking place within the cells. These changes incurred, increases the efficacy of other treatments such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
Very high temperatures can completely kill cancer cells(thermal ablation), but they can also damage or kill healthy cells and tissues, which can be very harmful. usually, a temperature between 40°Cand 45°C is required to execute the tumor cells
Magnetic hyperthermia
Advancements in magnetic materials led to the development of magnetic hyperthermia, which tries to address the side-effects. Magnetic nanoparticles are exposed to alternating magnetic fields of few units which produce heat caused due to magnetic relaxation losses.
However, the main disadvantage of magnetic hypothermia is the lack of control over the temperature, which can damage the healthy cells in the body and also cause side-effects such as increased blood pressure, hair loss, etc.
Magnetocaloric materials
The problems mentioned above and side-effects can be avoided by using magnetocaloric materials, which ensures controlled heating.
The advantage of these materials is that they heat up or cool down with the application and removal of the magnetic field, respectively. As soon as the magnetic field is removed, the cooling effect is generated, unlike in the magnetic nanoparticles where overheating persists p even after removing the magnetic field.
Treatments used alongside hypothermia.
Chemotherapy
it is considered a systemic treatment in which the medication can travel throughout the body and kill cancer cells that are spread to the parts of the body far from the original (primary) tumor.
surgery
It is a local treatment in which cancer is removed from a part of an organization when cancer has been found.
Radiation therapy
In this therapy, high-energy particles or waves which have high penetrating power such as x-rays, gamma rays are used to destroy cancer cells.
Cancer cells grow and divide at a much faster rate than most of the healthy cells. Radiation causes small breaks in the DNA inside these cells, which prevent the growth and division of cancer cells and lead to death.
Immuno-therapy
this treatment uses a person's Immune system to fight cancer. Therapy modifies and augments the work of the immune system so that it can find and attack cancer cells
Conclusion
The magnetocaloric materials can be promising in reducing the side effects hyperthermia, which is used alongside various cancer treatments, and thus provides a way forward in curing the cancer
You must be logged in to post a comment.