Oxygen-consuming implant killed 90% of cancer cells in mice
The device regulates the tumor microenvironment by means of an electrode redox reaction, increasing the effectiveness of drugs targeting cancer cells.Researchers at Fudan University in Shanghai have developed an implantable, self-charging battery to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatment. The device targets cancer cells, consumes oxygen and creates favorable conditions for anti-tumor drugs to work.
Tumor cells usually have low oxygen levels, a condition known as hypoxia. To treat cancer, various groups of researchers have developed drug delivery systems that target low-oxygen areas. But this approach has shown only limited success because of inadequate or uneven levels of hypoxia in solid tumors.
The battery developed by the scientists consists of biocompatible polyimide and zinc electrodes that steadily consume oxygen during the battery's discharge and self-charge cycle. The operation of the device modulates the level of hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment.
The sustained oxygen consumption induces intratumor hypoxia for 14 days, which helps hypoxia-activated drugs to kill tumor cells. In a study on mice, scientists showed that the combined use of the accumulator and antitumor drugs achieved efficacy of more than 90%. At the same time, in 80% of the mice, the tumors were completely destroyed as a result of the treatment.
Traditionally, cancer is treated with surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. These treatments can leave some of the cancer cells behind, contributing to disease recurrence and causing severe adverse reactions. Targeted therapies do not affect healthy cells and therefore are easier to tolerate.
The authors of the study note that no serious side effects from the therapy were noted in mice during the study. But clinical trials will be needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the new cancer therapy in humans.