Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), in collaboration with Monash University and Deakin University in Australia, have developed an innovative "nanoinjection" drug delivery platform that could transform breast cancer treatment. Traditionally, chemotherapy and radiation often damage healthy tissues because the drugs circulate throughout the entire body. To solve this, the joint team created a sophisticated system using silicon nanotubes (SiNTs) to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly into the heart of cancer cells. This method ensures that the medication is precise, reducing the accidental destruction of healthy cells and significantly minimizing the painful side effects typically associated with cancer therapy.

This new platform uses tiny, needle-like silicon nanotubes to inject a drug called doxorubicin specifically into breast cancer cells. The research findings, published in the journal Advanced Materials Interfaces, show that this system is 23 times more effective than conventional drug delivery methods. Because the system is so potent, doctors can use much lower doses to achieve the same or better results. Furthermore, the platform allows for a steady, controlled release of medication for up to 700 hours, preventing the "burst" of drugs that often causes toxicity in patients. Because the nanotubes are made of silicon, they are naturally compatible with the human body and do not require complex chemical modifications to be safe.

Dr. Swathi Sudhakar from IIT Madras emphasized that this breakthrough is particularly important for countries like India, where the high cost of advanced cancer care is a major barrier for many families. By making the treatment more effective at lower doses, this technology could significantly reduce the overall cost of healthcare and improve the quality of life for patients. The research has already been successfully tested in laboratory models, proving it can stop cancer cell growth and prevent tumors from forming new blood vessels. The team expects this patented technology to move into clinical use within the next five years, marking a major leap forward in making cancer treatment smarter, safer, and more affordable for everyone.

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