In a significant development, scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have unveiled a cutting-edge fluorescent material that promises to revolutionize the monitoring of anti-cancer drug Methotrexate (MTX).
MTX is a widely used anti-cancer drug, but its overdosage can lead to severe side effects, including toxicity in the lungs, ulcers in the stomach, and even heart stroke. Monitoring the levels of therapeutic drugs like MTX is crucial, given the potential harm they can cause to the human body. However, traditional detection methods are often time-consuming and involve complex instrumentation.
The newly developed material, a nanocomposite comprising phosphorene, cystine, and gold (Ph-Cys-Au), boasts exceptional optical properties, making it an ideal visual sensing platform for detecting MTX overdosage. The team behind this breakthrough includes Professor Neelotpal Sen Sarma, Dr. Mojibur R Khan, and research scholars Nasrin Sultana and Chingtham Thanil Singh.
One of the notable advantages of this innovative sensing platform is its non-enzymatic approach to detecting MTX, providing a faster and more sensitive alternative to traditional methods. The material is biocompatible and demonstrates an impressive detection limit, making it a promising tool for cytotoxicity screening in therapeutic drug analysis.
The nanocomposite exhibits a detection limit of about 0.0266 nM for a linear range of 0–140 µL and 0.0077 nM for a linear range of 160–260 µL. Moreover, the material displayed in vitro cytotoxicity towards cancerous cells while remaining non-cytotoxic for non-cancerous cells, highlighting its potential for targeted and effective drug monitoring.
The development of this highly fluorescent material addresses critical challenges associated with MTX detection, offering a simple yet powerful solution. Its unique properties position it as a game-changer in the field of cancer drug monitoring, opening avenues for faster, more accessible, and reliable diagnostic methods.
This breakthrough holds promise not only for enhancing the safety and effectiveness of cancer treatments but also for paving the way toward a new era in drug monitoring technology. As the scientific community continues to push the boundaries of innovation, the Ph-Cys-Au nanocomposite stands out as a beacon of hope in the fight against cancer and its associated challenges.
