Investigators at Cork Cancer Center at University College Cork in Ireland have developed an endoscopic device that allows chemotherapy drugs to be delivered directly to the GI tumor site.
The device uses the principle of electrochemotherapy, in which electrical pulses are applied the area being treated. The effect of this is altered permeability of the cell membrane, which allows the cytotoxic agents to enter the cell and exert their effect. Since the tumor can absorb the agent more effectively, much lower doses can be used, which translates into fewer side effects and shorter hospital stays.
“The first clinical trial of our patented device, called EndoVe, involving a patient with inoperable colorectal cancer has been successful in eliminating the tumour," according to Dr. Soden, Cork Cancer Research Centre and co-inventor.
“The device makes the tumour tissue porous, meaning the tumour absorbs chemotherapy drugs more efficiently, so less of the chemotherapy drug is used,’ explains Dr Soden. This means ease of treatment and minimal side-effects for the patient. And because the chemotherapy drugs are only absorbed in the area treated by the electrical field, it results in lower drug concentrations and potentially shorter stays in hospital. This reduces costs significantly for the health care provider,” he adds.
Full story: New Medical Device to Target Cancer Tumours …