Researchers Make Tiny Device to Test Brain Cancer Treatments
Scientists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital have created a tiny device to help treat brain tumors called gliomas. These tumors are in the brain or spinal cord. They tested the device on patients in a small study and found that it didn’t harm them.
The Device is as Small as a Grain of Rice
This new device is as tiny as a grain of rice. It can run many tests at once to see how new medicines affect these tough brain tumors.
Why It Matters
Every year, around 20,000 people in the U.S. get diagnosed with gliomas. These tumors are very deadly and hard to treat.
The Problem with Current Testing
Right now, it’s hard to test different medicines on these tumors because doctors can only try one treatment at a time. This is a big problem for tough cancers like gliomas, where using a combination of medicines might work better.
A Clever Solution
Scientists made a special device to solve this problem. They put tiny devices in the tumor while they’re removing it during surgery.
How It Works
The device is inside the tumor for about 2-3 hours. During this time, it gives small amounts of up to 20 medicines to the tumor. Then, they take out the device and study the tissue around it.
The Big Advantage
This device helps them see how medicines affect the area around the tumor, which is super important. It’s not just lab experiments; it’s real patients getting treated in real time.
This new approach could change how doctors treat brain tumors and make it easier to find the best medicine for each patient.