Implantable Microsensor Monitors Brain Cancer Chemotherapy Effectiveness

A micro-multichannel syringe carrying a variety of chemotherapeutic agents and implantable into a tumor can help predict the effectiveness of these agents once that tumor is surgically removed. Neurosurgeons and radiologists at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s hospital in collaboration with MIT bioengineers have developed and tested a biocompatible intratumor micro-implant, 6 X 0.7 millimeters, capable of releasing nano-doses of anti-cancer drugs within the tumor. The device delivers these tiny drug doses in spatially discrete zones permitting later analysis of each drug’s effectiveness following tumor resections.

The investigators carried out a preliminary proof-of-concept study of the device on 6 patients, five with glioblastomas and one with an astrocytoma. Each patient received 2 devices at the beginning of their operation which remained in place for 2 to 2.5 hours during tumor removal. A series of 9 drugs were testeed in the study.

The analysis demonstrated that: implantation of these devices was well-tolerated; drug release was consistent; and tumor specimens could be effectively analyzed for drug effect.

Subsequent, larger studies are planned to confirm these findings. In addition, plans are underway to implant these tiny devices into brain tumors non-invasively 72 hours prior to the open surgery in order to observe additional chemotherapeutic effects on the cancer cells.

https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/scitranslmed.adi0069

#chemotherapy #intratumor #microdevices #pathology #oncology #glioblastoma #harvard #mit #brighamandwomens