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Luz E. Mercado
Mr. Gango-5
26 October 2015
The Nano-Revolution Against Cancer
Today cancer is among the leading causes of death all around the world, affecting about
14 million people every year and killing nearly 8 million. The Center for Disease Control (CDC)
claims that these numbers are only expected to rise in the years to come with the advent of
genetically modified foods, increasing fast food consumption, and exposure to other forms of
carcinogens within the environment ("World Cancer Day"). Current cancer treatments such as
chemotherapy and radiation have limited effectiveness due to the unpredictability of how
different dosages will interact with an individual. In fact, the cumulating side effects of these
treatments are very much intolerable, both physically and emotionally, due to debilitating
fatigue, vomiting, nausea, hair thinning, and ultimately hair loss (Oncology). Another issue
persists in that cancer patients, many times due to long exposure to these toxic medications, form
a tolerance in which no other form of treatment is capable of producing results. The need for a
cancer treatment and potential cure without the severe side effects has long been a persisting
demand. Science has advanced to the point in which nanobots, once thought of as fiction, are
now emerging as a potential cure for cancer. Its application is quite simple and effective, yet
many remain speculative of this technology and its true potential as a cancer treatment. There
certainly is a need for increased research and funding, but the truth is this technology is within
reach and capable of changing the world (Piddock).
Cancer has been prevalent all throughout the course of human history, as indicated by the
Edwin Smith Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical record, dating back as early as 2500 BC.

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Greek physician Hippocrates (460 BC -370 BC) described several types of cancers as Karakinos,
Greek for crab or crayfish, since, [they] resembled a crab given by the lateral prolongations of
the tumor and the adjacent distended veins ("World Cancer Day"). During the time of
Hippocrates and all of the emerging physicians, little was actually known about true nature of
cancer. Hippocratess theory was centered on an imbalance of body fluids called humors,
particularly black bile, in various parts of the human body. His theory was passed on by the
Romans and unchallenged through the Middle Ages for over 1300 years, never quite
understanding this dreadful illness nor achieving a cure.
Only recently have scientists begun to gain a true understanding of cancer and the ways
in which it develops. The work of James Watson and Francis Crick was pivotal to modern
understanding of DNA as the basis for genetic coding. Scientists have now come to realize that
certain chemicals are carcinogens and defective cancer-causing-genes can, in fact, be inherited
(Piddock). A better understanding of DNA and genes in the 20th century have revealed to
scientists that damage to DNA from chemicals, radiation, and DNA sequences introduced by
viruses, could potentially lead to devastating forms of cancer. While some natural substances
such as gamma rays, alpha particles, and other types of ionizing radiation are known to cause this
disease, there is an increasing number of synthetic carcinogens such as asbestos and tobacco
smoke which throughout the years have led to the development of many cancers (Talley).
Unfortunately, there remain hundreds of synthetic cancer causing substances to be discovered,
many of which have been or are still being created by humans.
In 1971, President Richard Nixon promised Americans that there would be an extensive
campaign to find a cure for cancer. In his state of the union address he told the nation, The time
has come in America when the same kind of concentrated effort that split the atom and took man

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to the moon should be turned toward conquering this dread disease (Talley). When it comes to
treating cancer, there seems to be a holding pattern. The medical society is still reliant on surgery,
chemotherapy, radiation and other anticancer drugs just as they were 40 years ago. Ronald
Herberman, MD, former director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute expressed, We
are stuck in a paradigm of treatment (Talley). Nanotechnology has a tremendous potential, not
only in the fight against cancer, but in revolutionizing biomedicine.
The application of nanotechnology has greatly advanced throughout the years to the
extent in which nanobots have been created in the pursuit of facilitating medical treatments. The
application of these DNA nanobots has been used to target and kill specific types of cancer cells
within the human body (Spero). Nanobot treatment is based on cell-specific molecular sensing,
meaning that only specific targeted cells are being treated compared to the traditional treatments
of radiation and chemotherapy which harm healthy cells in the process (Ido Bachelet
Announces 2015 Human Trial). This aspect of cell-specific delivery in nanobots is what makes
them so effective. Drugs that were once too toxic for patients to take can now be combined and
introduced through nanobots for a faster treatment and eradication of cancer. So far there are 12
different types of cancer cells- including leukemia and solid tumors that have been recognized
and killed by nanobots. The inner workings of these nanobots are in fact quite simple and
effective (Spero).
The nanobot is shaped as a hexagonal tube where its two halves are connected like a door
hinge, enabling it to open and close whenever necessary rather than releasing a single load of
toxic drugs and then being defunct. Once open, the aggregate load would then slowly be released
to the specific cancer-recognized cells (Dorrier). This would enable the drugs to attack and kill
only the cancerous cell, completely avoiding healthy cells. In 2012, Dr. Ido Bachelet, Assistant

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Professor in Medicine and Life Science at the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced
Materials, Bar-Ilan University, Israel, conducted a test trial to reveal the functions of nanobots
when released into a vial of human blood containing both healthy and cancerous cells. After the
first day, results indicated a rapid decrease of cancer cells within the vial. The nanobots were
attacking and completely destroying only the cancer cells in the blood. Amazingly, half the
cancer cells were gone after only three days (Winter).
In June of 2014 another test trial took place in which Dr. Ido directly injected nanobots
into cockroaches, as well as a fluorescent gene to track and identify where they went. Dr. Ido was
able to receive an 87.3% success rate which after multiple trials increased to 93.6 % (Dorrier).
Ever since this trial, more animal testing has been conducted in order to gain a better
understanding and function of this revolutionizing technology.
The only concern in regards to nanobots is the possible outcome of an immune response
when introducing these foreign invaders into the human body. Composed primarily of DNA,
these nanobots have been adjusted to not cause an immune response, but rather go about within
the bloodstream to screen, target, and kill specific cancer cells (Ido Bachelet Announces 2015
Human Trial). In June 2014, Dr. Ido announced the beginning of a human clinical trial
involving treatment with a late-stage terminal leukemia patient who had six months to live. The
patient is expected to die the summer of 2015, yet through nanobot treatment in which about a
trillion nanobots will be injected into his system, is predicted that this patients cancer will be
completely eradicate within a month, presumably before the end of summer 2015 (Spero).
Although results of this trial have still not been published nor announced, it has been revealed
that Dr. Ido has partnered with Pfizer, the worlds largest pharmaceutical corporation, in order to

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finalize the nanobot cancer treatment. Biomedical and cancer researchers anxiously await for the
results with high hopes that this may be the cure to cancer.
Some people are quite speculative in regards to nanobots as a cancer treatment since no
human testing has ever been previously produced. Researchers have produced successful animalbased experiments with cockroaches that have led to this 2015 human trial, but indeed there is no
concrete evidence of complete cancer eradication. Scientists and researchers remain optimistic
about the innovating future of nanomedicine and hope that within a year or two, technological
advances such as nanobots and other swarm robotic can be used to repair spinal cords, improve
epilepsy, diabetes, and even help prevent heart attacks and strokes (Piddock). Dr. Sabine Hauert,
a swarm engineer at Bristol Robotics Laboratory in Britain, is also investigating swarm robotics
to fight cancer, although she is utilizing nanoparticles that are directed by magnetic fields and not
DNA (Spero). In any case, the field of nanotechnology is greatly expanding and contributing to
the advances of medicine.
Advances in nanotechnology have led to an increasing amount of concerns pertaining to
the entity of this new field and its possible consequences once introduced into the real world.
Within the public there exist significantly high levels of concern related to health, environmental,
ethical, and other societal aspects of human life (Choi). For example, the production of certain
nanotechnologies leads to the emission of nanopollutants which are nanoparticles small enough
to be absorbed by the skin and enter the lungs. It is these nanomaterials many people are
concerned with and believe might be the source of neurological diseases such as Parkinsons and
Alzheimers, asthma, and cancer (Oncology).
Advances in science and technology include many unknown risks, such as nanopollutants
that should be informed to the public. The issue of nanoethics is brought up when deciding

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what is considered right or wrong within society in regards to the developments of
nanotechnology (Choi). For the most part, many believe nanotechnology is a great advancement
in the field of science and soon perhaps a medical success as well. As O'Mathna, author of
Nanoethics: Big Ethical Issues with Small Technology points out, there has been an increasing
amount of articles relating to nanotechnology within the past two decades, yet the amount of
articles pertaining to the ethical concerns of this technological advancement has remained at the
bare minimum (Talley).
So far, the public has not become completely aware of certain technologies such as the
nanobot and its current application within cancer trials. Nanotechnology makes up more than $50
billion in market consumer products, yet a poll conducted in 2008 revealed that only 50% of
Americans actually knew what nanotechnology was (Dorrier). The other 50% had never even
heard of such a thing. What was even more surprising was the fact that those who knew very
little about nanotechnology tended to have a more positive opinion and approach about the
application of nanotechnology. However, once explained what nanotechnology actually was and
its possible implications on the environment and the human body, many people become more
concerned with the risks and threats nanopollutants posed to their health (Choi).
Currently, the 2016 federal budget provides for $1.5 billion in federal funding for the
National Nanotechnology Initiative. Of this, only 15% is to be spent on biomedical research
through the NIH, National Institutes of Health, composed of 27 different institutes and centers
(Oncology). According to the NIH, around $200 million a year is invested in biomedical
nanotechnology research, while seemingly a significant number, it does no justice to the true
potential of nanotechnology as a revolutionizing medical treatment. Increase in funding for
nanotechnology is what many biomedical researchers are certainly arguing for (Piddock).

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In addition to increased funding, researchers have likewise increased the number of
human trials in nanotechnology. Jennifer L. West, a Duke University, a researcher who devised a
heat-induced nanoparticle drug delivery system to destroy tumors says, The hydrogels can
release drugs just above body temperatureStill human trials are extremely limited if at all
(Choi). According to a recently conducted national poll, only 22% of Americans said that their
doctor has talked to them about medical research or clinical trials. The number of people,
especially those with diseases that drastically reduced quality of life, who are willing to
participate in biomedical nanotechnology clinical studies has certainly increased significantly,
allowing for a much more extensive research on the application of nanotechnology for various
illnesses (Oncology).
In the past, nanobots swarming around the human body fighting illness may have
appeared to be only within the realm of science fiction, but today it is evident that this
technology is within our reach and currently being achieved. Advances in knowledge and
discoveries at the molecular level are being translated into useful tools such as nanobots that are
fighting the war against cancer. There is great potential in nanobots as a cancer treatment and
potential cure, yet there remains need for an increase in research and funding. Nanotechnology
powers the future. Nanobots hold the power to revolutionize medicine and revolutionize lives all
around the world.

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Works Cited
Choi, Charles Q. "Nanobots, the Future of Cancer Treatment." Popular Mechanics. PM, 10 Apr.
2014. Web. 10 September 2015.
Dorrier, Jason. "Can DNA Nanobots Successfully Treat Cancer Patients? First Human Trial
Soon." Singularity HUB. N.P. 8 Jan. 2015. Web. 10 September 2015.
Ido Bachelet Announces 2015 Human Trial of DNA Nanobots to Fight Cancer and Soon to
Repair Spinal Cords. Next Big Future. N.P. 27 Dec. 2014. Web. 10 September 2015.
"Oncology; Study Findings on Oncology Research Are Outlined in Reports from Cancer Institute
(Nanotechnology applications in hematological malignancies)." Obesity, Fitness &
Wellness Week. 05 Sep. 2015: 2450. eLibrary. Web. 04 Oct. 2015.
Piddock, Charles, and J. D. Lee. "Medical Revolution." Future Tech: From Personal Robots to
Motorized Monocycles. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2009. Print.
Spero, Colbeigh. "Nanobots Fight Cancer: First Human Clinical Trial in 2015." UpRiser. 22 Feb.
2015. Web. 5 Sept. 2015.
Talley, Ronda C. Cancer Caregiving in the United States Research, Practice, Policy. New York,
NY: Springer, 2012. Print.
Winter, Lisa. "DNA Strands Used To Create Origami Nanobots Inside Cockroaches."
IFLScience. N.P. 10 Apr. 2014. Web. 10 September 2015.
"World Cancer Day." Cancer Prevention and Control. Centers for Disease Control, 3 Feb. 2015.
Web. 1 Oct. 2015.