Curcumin is a chemcial found in turmeric, a common spice that was originally found in southern India. Researchers at Nemours Children's Hospital and the University of Central Florida have concluded that curcumin attached to nanoparticles can be used to target and kill treatment-resistant neuroblastoma tumor cells. Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that occurs most frequently in young children. Neuroblastoma commonly forms near the small glands above the kidneys, and frequently causes symptoms that include: fatigue, loss of appetite and fever. The researchers praise this discovery because it may lead to an alternative to traditional treatments, allowing patients to avoid the side effects that come with traditional therapies. This discovery is also important because it showcases how nanoparticles can possibly be used in the creation of drugs to treat other types of cancer.
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