Scientists at Brown University have developed a new gold nanoparticle that could help to treat breast cancer, it has been claimed.

A twin nanoparticle formed by combining the precious metal with iron oxide may enable cancer fighting drugs to be delivered into the human body without the side effects of medications administered during chemotherapy, Nanowerk News reports.

Shouheng Sun, a chemistry professor at the university, told the news source that the aim of the technology is to target tumour cells while ignoring the healthy ones.

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"Like a missile, you don't want the anti-cancer drugs to explode everywhere," he was quoted as saying.

The technique has destroyed affected cells in up to 80 per cent of cases during laboratory tests and scientists also hope to be able to develop nanoparticles that can release the drug remotely through the use of magnetic heating.

This is the latest breakthrough in the area of using nanotechnology to treat medical conditions.

Earlier this week, Science Daily revealed that a new nanotechnology coating for brain implants could help treat paralysis and Parkinson's disease.

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