A new nano-cryosurgical modality for tumor treatment using biodegradable MgO nanoparticles.

A new conceptual modality for nano-cryosurgical ablation of tumors is proposed in this article. The main strategy is to apply MgO nanoparticles (NPs), which are nontoxic, biodegradable, and have few side-effects on the human body, to mediate the freezing procedure effectively. Detailed investigation via animal experiments and nucleation analysis demonstrated that delivery of MgO NPs into the target tissues would significantly improve the cryosurgical outcome. The formation of an iceball during the freezing process is accelerated and enlarged due to the excellent thermal properties of MgO NPs. In addition this method could promote the generation of ice nuclei and thus enhance cryoinjury to the target cells. Therefore, combining the biodegradability and nontoxicity of MgO NPs with their relatively lightweight properties, excellent thermal properties would help develop a high-performance cryosurgery. These findings may lead to methods for safe and targeted nano-cryosurgery and possibly break through the barriers facing current clinical treatments of cancer. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: Cryosurgery is a promising evolving modality to address malignancies. The work presented in this paper may add a novel concept to the field of nanomedicine by demonstrating that MgO nanoparticles enable more efficient ice-ball formation and cryoinjury in the target tissue.