Researchers have unveiled a remarkable breakthrough in bladder cancer treatment.

Conducted on mice, the studies showed how nanorobots powered by urea in urine target bladder tumours with a radioisotope, resulting in a 90 per cent reduction in tumour size after a single dose.

Biochemists carried out the research at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and CIC biomaGUNE in northern Spain.

Bladder cancer, globally one of the most prevalent types of cancer, poses challenges with recurrence and ongoing patient monitoring. Current treatments, while effective, often require multiple hospital visits.

Researchers said this innovative approach using self-propelling nanorobots is a potential breakthrough in the treatment of the illness.

The nanomachines, made of porous silica and propelled by urea and carrying radioactive iodine, demonstrated not only mobility within the bladder but also specific accumulation in tumours.

The study's co-author, Samuel Sanchez, emphasizes the efficiency, foreseeing reduced hospitalisation and treatment costs. The next phase will examine the recurrence of tumours after this treatment.

This scientific milestone reflects over three years of collaborative efforts, with the technology now forming the basis of Nanobots Therapeutics, a promising spin-off.

The nanorobots' success is not only in medical innovation but also a testament to technological advancements in microscopy for precise visualisation without prior tagging.