A Chinese scientist has found that nanometer materials of hydroxy apatite, with the particles being 20 nanometers to 100 nanometers in length and being evenly distributed, have the capacity to kill cancer cells in human beings without causing any damage to normal healthy cells.
The discovery was made by Li Shipu, a professor with Wuhan Engineering University. Li, who has long engaged in research on advanced ceramics and bio-medical materials, has successfully developed compound hydroxy apatite ceramics. Hydroxy apatite is an element contained in bones and is compatible with the human body.
Professor Li began his research on the possibility of using nanometer particles of hydroxy apatite to cure cancer as early as 1993. He also won financial aid from the State Natural Science Fund of China for the research for three years running.
Both Li's academic research and biological cell experiments by Beijing Medical Sciences University prove nanometer particles of hydroxy apatite are effective tools to kill cells of many cancers grown in the lung, liver and esophagus.
Experiments on mice show that seven days after nanometer particles of hydroxy apatite were injected into mice with tumor, 66.1 percent of the tumorous cells were brought under control, and phyma disappeared outwardly.
Li's discovery has aroused widespread attention among researchers of the world when he announced his findings while attending a recent international meeting on biological ceramics held in Europe.
(Xinhua 01/10/2001)
