Scientists conduct interdisciplinary study on using nanoparticles to fight leukemia Scientists from Scientific and Educational Center & Smart Materials and Biomedical Applications under the leadership of Kateryna Levada together with colleagues from Center for Immunology and Cellular Biotechnology of the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University conducted a joint interdisciplinary study on the development of a new method for treating leukemia using nanomaterials. The scientists analyzed how magnetic nanoparticles can be manipulated in in vitro conditions to achieve a selective antitumor effect. The method is based on the combined action of nanoparticles and permanent magnetic fields on human tumor cells. Leukemia (lymphoblastic leukemia) is the most common type of blood cancer in children and adolescents. This cancer affects the bone marrow and leads to the degradation of the human immune system. It accounts for 75-80% of acute leukemias, which also affect adults. Current methods of treating leukemia are based on chemotherapy. But chemotherapy is expensive and toxic not only for cancer cells, but also for the entire body. To overcome these limitations, new approaches using nanomaterials are needed. In their work, the researchers used magnetic nanoparticles and constant magnetic fields.