Developed 'Gel' to prevent cancer metastasis and recurrence
- 성균융합원
- Hit2644
- 2018-03-26
Korea-US joint researcher development. It can treat cancer without side effects.
Korean scientists have developed a biologically friendly 'hydrogel' that prevents recurrence and metastasis after cancer removal surgery.
Professor Park Chun-Kwon(Sungkyunkwan Univ.) and Professor Michael Goldberg(Harvard Univ.) said that they succeeded in preventing cancer recurrence by delivering immunity-enhancing drugs to the surgical site of the tumor that removed the tumor. As the hydrogel containing the drug is not toxic to the human body, the researchers plan to start clinical trials soon. The results of the study were published in the International Journal of Science 'Intermediary Medicine' which links basic medicine and clinical researchers.
It is known that 40% of patients who have undergone surgery through surgery have recurred within 5 years. Even if the entire tumor is roved, it is common for a small number of tumor cells to remain in the surgical site. Professor Park Chun-Kwon said, "After the cancer removal surgery, temporary immune decay occurs during the recovery process, and residual cancer cells may be metastasized or cancer cell growth may be stimulated". Also Professor explained that "Cancer recurrence and metastasis remain as important as cancer-related deaths of more thant 90%"
The researchers used hyaluronic acid, a sugar ingredient in the body, to make a 1.2-cm-diameter gel that dissolves in the body and disappears. This gel contains immunity-enhancing drugs and is delivered locally to the surgical site for a long time. Through these systems, 'natural killer cells' and 'dendritic cells', which correspond to innate immunity, rapidly remove the cells that have invaded the body, such as cancer cells, and disease, thereby promoting acquired immunity.
The researchers removed the tumors from mice with breast cancer and lung cancer and transplanted a hydrogel deveolped on the spot. Professor Park Chun-Kwon said, "When the tumor is surgically removed, beneficial immune cells protecting the body are often removed. A drug that strengthens the immune system in the gel enhances the immunity of the surgical site and can remove cancer from the remaining cancer cells."
The researchers observed for 12 weeks that the hydrogel-loaded mice had a very high survival rate compared with the non-treated mice, and the cancer did not recur. This was significantly higher than the conventional intravenous administration method. In addition, there was no toxicity in liver, kidney, blood cells, including weight change.
The researchers evaluated the study as providing a new basis for tumor therapy as it can increase the success rate for cancer patients. Professor Park Chun-Kwon added, "Both hydrogels and durgs are non-toxic to humans and have excellent tumor-treatment effects, so the future plan is to apply them to patients through clinical trials."
△ Professor, Park Chun-Kwon
△ The appearance of the gel developed by the researchers.