Cancer Device May Stop Side-Effects
Posted on: Saturday, 1 April 2006, 03:02 CST
A new device for cancer patients could put an end to the side- effects of chemotherapy such as hair loss and vomiting.
The new method uses an implant made of tiny fibres and beads soaked in chemotherapy drugs.
The implant, developed at the University of Bath, will dissolve inside the body, releasing the chemotherapy chemicals directly into the cancer site.
The research team claim the device could be a "vitally important step" in treating cancer.
The usual way of delivering chemotherapy to patients is by injecting the drugs into a vein, meaning they are carried throughout the body, affecting all parts of the patient.
The University of Bath team hope the new method, known as Fibrasorb, could also cut the number of patients who die from the harmful side effects of chemotherapy because they need such high doses to tackle their cancers.
Dr Semali Perera, who developed the method, said: "Side effects from chemotherapy can be very unpleasant and sometimes fatal. The new fibres and beads could cut out some side-effects entirely, including nausea and vomiting, and could reduce the number of people who die each year.
"Although the first study will be on patients with ovarian cancer, soon we hope that other cancer sufferers with solid tumours will benefit."
The treatment has successfully completed preliminary laboratory trials.
The first clinical trials on volunteer patients with ovarian cancer in Somerset and Wiltshire could begin in the next few years and, if successful, it is hoped the technology will be put into general use.
Source: Birmingham Post; Birmingham (UK)
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