Researchers at New York Abu Dhabi are developing innovative technologies to detect and treat cancerous tumors

Researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi have developed smart molecules capable of monitoring and treating cancerous tumors, providing more accurate and safer methods of treatment.

The American Chemical Society published details of the study focusing on MRI technology.MRI“, widely used to detect tumors within the body, and unlike traditional compounds that are used for diagnostic purposes only, the research team has devised a new system that combines diagnosis and treatment within one compound.

The developed molecules consist of manganese along with organic components that are not active in healthy tissues, but rather respond to the tumor environment, which is characterized by a slight increase in acidity. When activated, these molecules release manganese ions, which enhances the clarity of magnetic resonance images, and at the same time creates a therapeutic effect by destroying cancer cells.

The results showed the compounds’ ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in glioblastoma tissue, allowing more accurate imaging of brain tumors that are difficult to detect using traditional methods.

The technology was tested on samples of glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive types of cancer, and showed promising results in terms of imaging accuracy and therapeutic effect, which enhances the chances of applying this approach in the future.

Farah Bin Yato, the lead researcher in the study, said that the team sought to develop materials that enable doctors to see tumors clearly and treat them at the same time, especially in cases of brain tumors that require high accuracy in diagnosis and targeting.

These results herald the emergence of a new generation of MRI techniques that combine diagnosis and treatment in one platform, thus enhancing the efficiency of cancer treatment in terms of speed, accuracy and safety.