NEW YORK: A groundbreaking initiative led by scientists at Rice University has secured $45 million in funding from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health to develop an innovative implant-based treatment system, potentially halving cancer death rates. The pioneering technology, known as “sense-and-respond implant technology,” is designed to enhance the outcomes of immunotherapy treatments for challenging cancers.
The system, dubbed “hybrid advanced molecular manufacturing regulator” (HAMMR), involves a three-inch implant that delivers immunotherapy medications to patients in a “closed loop” manner, akin to diabetes treatments using insulin pumps. Through this technology, curing cancer could become as straightforward as a few taps on a mobile device, as reported by the New York Post.
Rather than confining patients to hospital beds and external monitors, the procedure involves implanting a small device that continuously monitors the patient’s cancer and adjusts their immunotherapy dosage in real-time, according to Omid Veiseh, a bioengineer at Rice University and principal investigator of the project. The implant utilizes wireless communication, potentially interfacing with smartphones for seamless monitoring and adjustments.
Cancer Treatment with Mobile App
The primary goal of the implant, supported by a mobile app, is to provide real-time data from the tumor environment, guiding more effective and tumor-informed therapies while simultaneously serving as both a cancer monitoring and medication administration system. The technology aims to accelerate therapy by offering dynamic insights into the cancer’s evolving nature, facilitating tailored and responsive treatments.
“This sense-and-respond implant technology holds the potential to revolutionize cancer treatments, especially for peritoneal cancers affecting vital organs such as the pancreas, liver, and lungs,” explained Veiseh.
The initiative, known as THOR (Targeted Hybrid Oncotherapeutic Regulation), brings together specialists from diverse fields across 20 facilities in seven states. In the initial clinical study, the implant’s effectiveness in treating recurrent ovarian cancer will be examined, with plans to commence human trials within five years.
The project builds on the success of the team’s previous work, where they demonstrated the efficacy of a “drug factory” technology in mice, eradicating late-stage ovarian and colorectal cancers within six days. The upcoming clinical trials, featuring HAMMR as the next evolutionary step, aim to revolutionize cancer treatments through personalized, real-time interventions facilitated by advanced implant technology and mobile applications.
