"Nano-Vehicles" to Target Cancer

Scientists say a modified plant virus has the potential to radically improve the delivery of today's anti-cancer therapeutics and significantly reduce the harsh side effects of chemotherapy.

The researchers from North Carolina State University have developed what they call nano-sized cargo vehicles that can be loaded with anti-cancer drugs and target tumor cells inside the human body.

The delivery system, a virus known as the Red Clover Necrotic Mosiac Virus, has a built-in "cargo space" of 17 nanometers, which can be loaded with anti-cancer drugs.

The researchers say the virus is better than human-made nano particles because doesn't "leak" it's cargo.

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