HAMMR - cancer detection and treatment via implant smaller than a pinky?
Researchers from seven states led by Rice University in Houston, Texas, have developed a three-inch implantable device that works as both a cancer detection system and a drug administration system.
The HybridAdvancedMolecularManufacturingRegulator- orHAMMR- is full of sensors that monitor fast-mutating cancer cells and adjusts the release of immunotherapy drugs based on a patient's response.
'This kind of "closed-loop therapy" has been used for managing diabetes, where you have a glucose monitor that continuously talks to an insulin pump. But for cancer immunotherapy, it's revolutionary,' said bioengineer Omid Veiseh, a principal investigator on the team.
The researchers claim the first-of-its-kind technology will be able to improve immunotherapy outcomes for cancers that are hard to treat, like ovarian and pancreatic, and slash cancer deaths by 50 percent in the US.
Dr Amir Jazaeri, another principal investigator on the team, said the device will help 'to get a real-time understanding of how our cancer cells are changing so we can change in parallel.'
Illustration of how it implant communicates with cell phone:
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A minimally invasive procedure allows the device to be implanted into the abdomen.
It will then constantly monitor a patient's cancer and adjust their dose of immunotherapy drugs in real-time.
'This device will communicate wirelessly, potentially with a smartphone, and also be chargeable externally,' Dr Jazaeri told KHOU11.
'Essentially how your iWatch charges today,' Dr Vesieh said.
The implant would enable doctors to react to any changes in the cancer a lot faster than the current system of waiting to get test results and devising a new treatment plan, which can take months.
Moar (including rice-sized implant into glioblastoma brain tumor trials):
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12571981/Scientists-developing-implant-cure-cancer.html