NEW YORK, Oct 1, (Agencies): An app may soon revolutionize cancer treatment. Scientists at Rice University, backed by a $45 million grant from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, are developing an innovative implant-based cancer treatment system that could potentially reduce cancer-related deaths by half. This groundbreaking "sense-and-respond implant technology" aims to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy for challenging-to-treat cancers.

Rather than confining patients to hospital beds, IV bags, and external monitors, the researchers envision a minimally invasive procedure involving the implantation of a small device that continuously monitors cancer progression and adjusts immunotherapy doses in real-time. OmidVeiseh, a Rice bioengineer leading the project, likens this approach to diabetes treatment with insulin pumps.

The three-inch implant, known as the "hybrid advanced molecular manufacturing regulator" (HAMMR), will administer immunotherapy drugs to the patient in a closed-loop system. These rechargeable devices will communicate wirelessly, potentially even with a smartphone.

The researchers anticipate that the implant may only be required for a short duration, potentially eradicating cancer within as little as 60 days. Current diagnostic tools offer infrequent and limited insights into the evolving nature of cancer cells. This novel technology promises to provide real-time data from the tumor environment, facilitating more effective and tailored therapies, thereby expediting the treatment process.

Dr. Amir Jazaeri, a co-principal investigator and professor of gynecologic oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, emphasized that this technology will transform cancer treatment from a static approach to a dynamic one.

The applicability of this technology extends to various peritoneal cancers affecting organs such as the pancreas, liver, and lungs. The interdisciplinary research team, spanning 20 labs across seven states, operates under the project name THOR, which stands for "targeted hybrid oncotherapeutic regulation."

The first clinical trial will focus on recurrent ovarian cancer, with human trials expected to commence within the next five years. Notably, the research team has already demonstrated the effectiveness of a similar "drug factory" technology in mice, eradicating late-stage ovarian and colorectal cancers in just six days. HAMMR represents the next step in this innovative approach to cancer treatment.