idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
A team of researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) led by Prof. Dr. Aldo R. Boccaccini, Chair of Materials Science (Biomaterials) is producing bioactive glass that is being tested for suitability in the treatment of giant-cell tumours of the bone at Heidelberg University Hospital as part of a cooperation project. The cancer research foundation Deutsche Krebshilfe is funding the project with approximately 212,000 euros.
The tiny particles of glass that contain biologically active ions such as zinc, magnesium or boron are being examined to determine if they form carbonated hydroxyapatite (CHA) upon contact with bodily fluids. The formation of such a layer of CHA enables the particles of glass to interact with the bone tissue. The team led by Prof. Dr. Aldo R. Boccaccini is one of the world’s leading groups researching into the development, production and characterisation of bioactive glass.
In the treatment of broken bones, patients are already benefiting from the effects of bioactive glass, which stimulate bone growth. However, these types of glass can also have a destructive effect on cells and this is exactly what the researchers at Heidelberg University Hospital hope to make use of. Cancer cells from giant-cell tumours of the bone seem to react more sensitively than healthy bone cells. The aim is to selectively kill off cancer cells thus preventing local relapses or recurring tumours. Relapses occur relatively frequently in giant-cell tumours and can lead to a serious form of the disease. The researchers hope to improve treatments for cancer patients with the glass.
Prof. Dr. Aldo R. Boccaccini
Phone: +49 9131 85 28601
aldo.boccaccini@fau.de
Criteria of this press release:
Journalists
Materials sciences, Medicine
transregional, national
Research projects
English
You can combine search terms with and, or and/or not, e.g. Philo not logy.
You can use brackets to separate combinations from each other, e.g. (Philo not logy) or (Psycho and logy).
Coherent groups of words will be located as complete phrases if you put them into quotation marks, e.g. “Federal Republic of Germany”.
You can also use the advanced search without entering search terms. It will then follow the criteria you have selected (e.g. country or subject area).
If you have not selected any criteria in a given category, the entire category will be searched (e.g. all subject areas or all countries).
