Australian Cancer Diagnosis Company Feronov and University of South Australia develop new technology designed to accurately map aggressive brain cancer and guide treatment.
New MRI nanotechnology targets a specific marker found in more than 90% of solid tumors, including high-grade brain cancer.
Dr. Nicole Dmachowska of UniSA, who will lead the study, supported by Fr. REDI Scholarship, said there is an urgent need to improve the image of high-grade brain tumors. The technology is said to have yielded promising preclinical results in a model of prostate cancer and new funding will develop the technology before the first human test.
“The prognosis for high-grade brain tumors, such as glioblastoma, remains unsuccessful, so it is important that we develop new technologies that can potentially provide a more accurate focus on tumors,” Dmakhovska said. The technology was developed in collaboration with Ferronova with support Foundation for Neurosurgical Research.
Dr Hyen Le, a radiation oncologist at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and one of the main researchers in the primary funding of this work, said the study has the potential to advance cancer treatment.
“As a person who specializes in treating brain cancer, I understand the importance of accurately differentiating tumors,” Le said.
“Improved imaging means we can more confidently identify the target of the tumor, facilitating accurate treatment while minimizing damage to normal healthy tissues.”
In 2021, 1,896 new diagnoses of brain cancer were detected (1,191 men and 725 women). Glioblastoma is the most common malignancy of the brain with a five-year survival rate of only 5%. Dr Melanie Nelson, R & D’s manager at Ferronova, said the study would streamline preclinical testing of technology for brain tumors in preparation for phase 1, the “first in human” clinical trials.
“The new technology is based on Ferronova’s cancer staging technology, which is currently undergoing clinical trials in several types of cancer,” Nelson said.
“By bringing together the best minds in chemistry, bioengineering and oncology, we continue to push the boundaries to make sure no one dies unnecessarily because cancer has been missed.”
http://hospitalhealth.com.au/content/clinical-services/news/novel-mri-tech-for-aggressive-brain-tumours-gets-funding-boost-1505088448
