IIT Madras Develops Next-Generation Nanomedicine for Breast Cancer Treatment

Chennai, India: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have developed and patented an advanced drug delivery system designed to enhance the treatment of breast cancer—one of the leading causes of mortality among women worldwide.

Utilizing the unique properties of nanomaterials, the research team has engineered a targeted drug delivery system that ensures the precise administration of anti-cancer drugs to malignant cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. This breakthrough innovation presents a safer and more effective alternative to conventional treatment modalities such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which often result in severe side effects.

“Nanocarriers are biocompatible and do not harm non-cancerous or healthy cells. Unlike traditional treatments, which indiscriminately affect both cancerous and healthy cells, leading to side effects such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue, and immune suppression, this approach offers a more refined and targeted solution,” said Swathi Sudhakar, Assistant Professor at the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomedical Engineering, IIT Madras, in an interview with PTI.

Chemotherapy has been a standard treatment since the 1930s, alongside radiotherapy and surgical interventions. However, these conventional options are often associated with pain, toxicity, lack of precise targeting, and high treatment costs.

Revolutionary Spice-Based Nanomedicine in Cancer Treatment

In a parallel development, IIT Madras researchers have also patented the use of Indian spices in the formulation of anti-cancer nanomedicines, which are expected to be commercially available by 2028. According to officials, these spice-derived formulations have demonstrated significant anti-cancer activity against lung, breast, colon, cervical, oral, and thyroid cancer cell lines, while remaining non-toxic to normal cells.

Clinical validation of these nanomedicines is underway, with animal studies already completed successfully. Researchers are currently addressing key safety and cost challenges before transitioning to human clinical trials. The goal is to introduce these innovative formulations to the market by 2027-28.

“While the medicinal benefits of Indian spice oils have been recognized for centuries, their limited bioavailability has restricted their application. By formulating these compounds into a nano-emulsion, we have effectively enhanced their stability and therapeutic efficacy,” said R. Nagarajan, Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras.

He further emphasized the significance of mechanistic studies in identifying active ingredients and their interactions with cancer cells. “Our aim is to fast-track the transition from animal studies to clinical trials within the next two to three years,” he added.

Nano-Oncology: A Paradigm Shift in Cancer Therapy

Funded through the Pratiksha Trust by IIT Madras Distinguished Alumnus and Infosys Co-Founder Gopalakrishnan, these patented anti-cancer nanoformulations have undergone rigorous preclinical testing, including dosage adjustments and efficacy validation.

Professor Nagarajan highlighted several advantages of nano-oncology over traditional cancer therapies: “Our approach significantly reduces toxicity, lowers treatment costs, and leverages the abundant availability of Indian spice oils to optimize bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness.”

M. Joyce Nirmala, Chief Scientific Officer at IIT Madras' Cancer Nanomedicine and Drug Design Laboratory, confirmed the formulations' effectiveness across multiple cancer types in preclinical studies. “We are currently optimizing drug dosage through animal models, following which we will advance to clinical trials. Our objective is to make cancer treatment more affordable, less painful, and free from the severe toxic effects of conventional therapies,” she stated.

India’s Role in Scaling Affordable Cancer Treatment

As the world's largest producer of spices, India is uniquely positioned to facilitate large-scale, cost-effective production of spice-based cancer nanomedicines. “These formulations have been developed for oral administration, ensuring ease of treatment while maintaining high biocompatibility. Additionally, plant-based and spice-derived compounds influence multiple oncogenic signaling pathways, contributing to an improved quality of life for cancer patients,” Nirmala added.

Over the past two decades, nano-oncology has emerged as a transformative strategy in cancer therapy, offering promising advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. IIT Madras' latest innovation reinforces the growing potential of nanotechnology in revolutionizing cancer care and delivering cost-effective, patient-friendly treatments on a global scale.