New York, Oct 2 – A team of US scientists at Rice University has introduced a pioneering sense-and-respond implant technology, potentially cutting cancer-related fatalities by over 50%.
This innovative implant, called the “hybrid advanced molecular manufacturing regulator” (HAMMR), is designed to significantly enhance the outcomes of immunotherapy for patients grappling with challenging-to-treat cancers like ovarian and pancreatic cancer.
What sets HAMMR apart is its ability to continuously monitor cancer and dynamically adjust immunotherapy dosages in real-time, akin to a glucose monitor. The implant is minimally invasive and can be implanted through a straightforward surgical procedure.
Bioengineer Omid Veiseh, an associate professor at Rice, emphasized the transformative potential of this “closed-loop therapy.” He noted, “Instead of tethering patients to hospital beds, IV bags, and external monitors, we’ll use a minimally invasive procedure to implant a small device that continuously monitors their cancer and adjusts their immunotherapy dose in real time. 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.”
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health has granted $45 million to expedite the development of the implant, including funding for a first-phase clinical trial slated to begin within five years.
Veiseh highlighted the broad applicability of this technology for peritoneal cancers affecting various organs, such as the pancreas, liver, and lungs. The initial clinical trial will focus on refractory recurrent ovarian cancer, leveraging prior experience with encapsulated cytokine “drug factory” technology.
Dr. Amir Jazaeri, a Professor of gynecologic oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, stressed the groundbreaking potential of the technology. He explained that it can revolutionize cancer treatment by providing real-time data from the tumor environment, enabling more effective and tumor-informed novel therapies.
The HAMMR implant is poised to transform the landscape of cancer treatment by offering dynamic and personalized solutions for patients facing challenging cancers.
