Nanotechnology breakthroughs envisioned for gastroenterology diagnostics and therapeutics

“With nanoscale sensitive optics, it is now possible to detect changes in cell and tissue structure that we have connected to the earliest steps in tumorigenesis,” Dr. Backman said. This work largely derives from progress in defining the topography of chromatin, a term that encompasses the protein, DNA, RNA, and protein composition of chromosomes. The work is relevant to all solid tumors, not just GI cancers. Based on the current status of the science, Dr. Backman foresees not just detection of the earliest events in cancer development but opportunities to tailor epigenetic therapies for personalized medicine.

In regard to other opportunities to improve diagnostics in GI diseases through nanotechnology, Dr. Backman spoke of nanoscale constructs that serve as contrast agents to visualize molecular structures and processes. These can be delivered endoscopically or systemically to provide unprecedented 3-D imaging, allowing such structures as cell receptors to be visualized and labeled.

The potential therapeutic applications of nanotechnology involve new approaches to altering disease progression. In addition to explaining the novel opportunities provided by delivering drugs on a nanoscale to alter cell processes in a way that would not be otherwise possible, Dr. Backman described how nanotechnology can be applied to influence global patterns in gene transcription. This is achieved by altering the chromatin structure.

“It is now understood that chromatin acts like software in mediating gene activities,” Dr. Backman explained. “In the case of cancer, normalization of chromatin structure can predictably modulate global patterns of gene expression. There is now evidence that modulation of chromatin structure with macrogenomic engineering may address cancer as well as other illnesses.”