Photothermal treatment of glioma
A wireless implant for the treatment of brain cancer has been developed
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
Scientists have developed a photothermal treatment technology that does not require brain surgery to destroy cancer. The results of the first preclinical studies demonstrate that this approach increases life expectancy by three times.
Today, patients with brain cancer usually undergo cranial trepanation to remove the tumor. At the second stage, chemo or radiotherapy is performed, but even such a comprehensive approach cannot significantly prolong life - its average duration is less than 15 months. Stanford scientists sought to develop a relatively simple treatment that, among other things, would not have serious health risks.
In preclinical studies, they tested a wireless implant that uses remote activation to heat gold nanoparticles previously injected into the tumor.
The technology is based on the method of photothermal treatment, however, in this case, an open operation is no longer required for the tumor to be exposed to light, the authors explain.
The device is implanted between the skin and the skull. Then gold nanoparticles are injected into the tumor through a tiny hole, which are activated by heating the infrared waves emitted by the implant. The temperature rises to five degrees Celsius. This was enough to kill cancer cells and not damage neighboring healthy tissues.
Figure from the press release Wireless implant could help remove deadly brain tumors - VM.
The effectiveness was demonstrated in mouse models — the new approach prolonged the life of rodents by about 2-3 times, and with additional use of chemotherapy, mice lived even longer.
Scientists expect that after adapting the technology for humans, the new approach can significantly increase the survival rate of patients for five years or more.
Article by Arami et al. Remotely controlled near-infrared-triggered photothermal treatment of brain tumours in freely behaving mice using gold nanostars is published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology – VM.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru