Cure for cancer has remained elusive all these years. Early detection of the disease may help stop the cancer cells from affecting other parts of the body but even this cannot guarantee that a patient is altogether cancer free. However, U.S. researchers have come up with a sponge like implant that mops the body and soaks up cancer cells.
Researchers from the University of Michigan developed a method for the early detection of cancer in the different parts of the body as reported in BBC News. The implant was also found to stop cancer cells from reaching other areas where new tumours could possibly grow. These findings were published in Nature Communications. This method can trap high cell densities and reduce the amount of cancer cells ten times, giving more time for treatments to take effect.
According to Cancer Research UK, ninety percent of cancer deaths were caused by metastatic cancer, which spreads to other parts of the body. Metastasis is normally referred to as "poor diagnosis". Although doctors are always on the lookout for possible spread of cancer cells, it can still be difficult to detect. As a result, when finally detected, it is already too late for any treatment to take effect. With this latest advancement however, this can possibly change how doctors treat cancer patients and save more lives.
The test was carried out in mice bodies where scientists injected breast cancer cells followed by a tiny sponge, about 5mm in diameter, implanted in mice's abdomen fat and under their skin. This sponge-like material is made of biomaterial approved for use in medical devices. After 28 days, the implant was removed and cancer cells were found in them. The sponge-like biomaterial draws in cancer cells and reduced their number at other sites.
The researchers explained how the implant works. It actually mimics a process where cells that have broken loose from a tumour get attracted to other parts of the body by the immune cells. These immune cells then set up a camp on the implant, a natural response to any foreign body. Ultimately, this also draws the cancer cells in.
Researchers are planning to have clinical trials on human soon. Study leader Professor Lonnie Shea from the Departmnt of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan said, "We need to see if metastatic cells will show up in the implant in humans like they did in the mice, and also if it's a safe procedure and that we can use the same imaging to detect cancer cells."