Summary of Smaller Than a Grain of Rice – Scientists Use Tiny Implantable Device To Tame Pancreatic Cancer:
Houston Methodist Research Institute researchers have developed an implantable nanofluidic device that delivers immunotherapy directly to pancreatic cancer tumors. The device is smaller than a grain of rice and contains CD40 monoclonal antibodies that showed results of reducing tumor size by four times lower dosage compared to conventional immunotherapy treatments. The local therapy with immunotherapy activated the immune response to target other tumors, with one animal model remaining tumor-free for the 100-day continued observation. The device is intended for long-term controlled and sustained release, avoiding repeated systemic treatment that often leads to adverse side effects.
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Scientists Develop Breakthrough Nanofluidic Device for Pancreatic Cancer Treatment
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most challenging types, so researchers have been searching for new and innovative methods to combat this disease. Recently, researchers at the Houston Methodist Research Institute have made a significant breakthrough in treating pancreatic cancer by delivering immunotherapy directly into the tumor using a nanofluidic device. In this article, we will explore this groundbreaking research and what it could mean for the future of cancer treatment.
Introducing the Nanofluidic Drug-Eluting Seed (NDES)
The Houston Methodist Research Institute has developed its implantable nanofluidic device called the nanofluidic drug-eluting seed (NDES), which delivers CD40 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) for immunotherapy directly to the tumor. The drug is administered in a sustained low dose four times lower than conventional systemic immunotherapy treatments. The NDES device is smaller than a grain of rice and consists of a stainless-steel drug reservoir containing nanochannels. This creates a membrane allowing sustained diffusion when the drug is released.
How the NDES Works
The NDES is implanted directly into the tumor, releasing the immunotherapeutic agent slowly and now into the tumor tissue. The device is intended for long-term controlled and sustained release, avoiding repeated systemic treatment that often leads to adverse side effects. This allows for a more focused therapy using less medication, which reduces the risk of side effects and adverse reactions caused by systemic treatments.
Study Results
Scientists tested the NDES on mice models, and the results were promising. Intratumoral immunotherapy via the NDES significantly reduced tumor size at a lower dosage than conventional systemic immunotherapy treatments. Even more exciting, researchers observed that even though the NDES device was only inserted in one of two tumors in the same animal model, they noted shrinkage in the tumor without the device. This means local immunotherapy treatment activates the immune response to target other tumors. One animal model remained tumor-free for the 100 days of continued observation.
Future Applications
The Houston Methodist Research Institute hopes to see the NDES device become a viable option for cancer patients in the next five years. The implantable nanofluidics-based platform for controlled and long-term drug delivery and cell transplantation would help treat chronic diseases without exposing the body to toxic drugs and side effects. Additional lab research is underway to determine the effectiveness and safety of this delivery technology before it is used in human trials.
Conclusion
The NDES device represents a significant breakthrough in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This breakthrough technology could transform how cancer is treated by offering a more focused and less invasive treatment method. Delivering the therapy directly to the tumor protects the body from exposure to toxic drugs that cause long-lasting side effects. With more research and testing, this device could provide hope for future cancer patients who may benefit from intratumoral immunotherapy with NDES.
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