On June 07,2020, A team of Scientists from the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), an autonomous R&D Centre of Department of Science and Technology (DST) has developed a magnetocaloric material (a rare-earth-based material that can be heated or cooled by applying or removing a magnetic field) that can be used in the treatment of cancer.
i.The material has been tested at the Kerala based Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology (SCTIMST) & the research work has been published in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds.
How the material be used in Cancer treatment?
With the help of magnetocaloric material, the body will be given heating under control and along with this process will be used in conjunction with radiation therapy. With this, side-effects caused by the treatment of cancer such as Blood Pressure will not be generated & also the time taken in treatment will also be saved.
Why the rare earth element used?
- A rare element was selected for human medicine as it was found to be compatible with the human body and it was expected that it would lead to some miraculous results.
- They suited the composition of the alloy in such a way that the Curie temperature could be brought close to the required medical temperature range (42–46 ° C) to kill cancer cells.
What is the need?
The magnetic hyperthermia has been used for the treatment of cancer,in which magnetic nanoparticles are placed in the changing magnetic fields of some gauss, which produces heat due to loss of magnetic relaxation. However, lack of temperature control is a major drawback in magnetic hyperthermia (abnormally high temperature) which can damage healthy cells in the body and also cause side effects such as increased blood pressure.
About International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI):
Headquarters– Hyderabad, Telangana
Chairperson– Dr. Anil Kakodkar
