A team of scientists at Rice University in the United States has received $45 million in funding to develop an implant technology that could significantly reduce cancer deaths. The grant, given to a group of scientists from seven different states, aims to accelerate the creation and evaluation of a new cancer therapy strategy. This approach will enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy for patients with challenging tumors such as ovarian, pancreatic, and other malignancies.
The principal investigator, Rice bioengineer Omid Veiseh, explained that instead of relying on hospital beds, IV bags, and external monitors, a minimally invasive procedure will be used to implant a small device. This device will continuously monitor the patient’s cancer and adjust their immunotherapy dose in real-time. This sense-and-respond implant will revolutionize cancer immunotherapy by utilizing closed-loop therapy, a strategy previously used in managing diabetes, where there is constant communication between an insulin pump and glucose monitor.
The team leading this initiative, called THOR (targeted hybrid oncotherapeutic regulation), is composed of engineers, healthcare professionals, and specialists from various fields including synthetic biology, materials science, immunology, oncology, electrical engineering, and artificial intelligence. Their collaborative effort has resulted in the development of an implant called HAMMR (hybrid advanced molecular manufacturing regulator).
Dr. Amir Jazaeri, a co-principal investigator and professor of gynecologic oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, highlighted the limitations of current diagnostic tools in understanding the dynamic nature of cancer cells. He believes that THOR could revolutionize cancer treatment by providing real-time data from the tumor environment, enabling more effective and personalized therapies.
The technology developed by THOR is not limited to specific types of cancer. According to an associate professor of bioengineering at Rice, it can be broadly applied for peritoneal cancers affecting organs such as the pancreas, liver, lungs, and more.
Overall, this funding and collaborative effort aim to develop a groundbreaking implant technology that can significantly reduce cancer deaths by improving the effectiveness of immunotherapy and providing real-time data for more targeted and informed treatment strategies.