The new Australian technology is expected to transform how gastrointestinal cancers are detected and treated with precise and not very invasive surgery.
Supported by the Economic Accelerator of the Federal Government (AEA) IGNITE GRANT, researchers from the University of South Australia (UNISA) use quantum technology to develop a genre laparoscopic survey which will allow surgeons to accurately map the spread of tumors.
Technology has the potential to improve cancer survival rates and the quality of life of patients worldwide.
Directed by Dr. Nicole Dmochowska of Unisa’s Future Industries Institute, the $ 405,050 project is undertaken in partnership with the Ferronova Precision Cancer Surgery Company.
The probe will work alongside the formulation of ironova ironova nanoparticles (ferrotrace) to improve the detection of cancer lymph nodes during surgery, reducing the need for extensive procedures which often lead to fatal complications and side effects throughout the survivors.
Gastrointestinal cancers are among the most deadly, often spreading through the lymphatic system to distant lymph nodes before diagnosis. Traditional surgical methods consist in eliminating large sections of tissues, which increases the risk of infections and long -term digestive problems.
By integrating the quantum sensors of cutting edge into a mini-invasive laparoscopic probe, we aim to give surgeons a new powerful tool to precisely locate the affected lymph nodes.
This will potentially allow more targeted surgery, reducing the need for elimination of extensive tissues and improving post-surgical recovery. “”
Dr Nicole DMOCHOWSKA of Unisa’s Future Industries Institute
The UNISA research team has already demonstrated the feasibility of the magnetomeming probes based on the quantum sensor in a successful phase 1 clinical trial for mouth cancer.
This new project goes further by miniaturizing the probe for use in laparoscopic surgery – or lock hole – allowing more precise and less invasive cancer treatments.
Researchers have spent more than eight years developing magnetometers for cancer surgery. The AEA Ignite grant will finance the next crucial step: developing a fully functional and preclinically validated prototype which can be tested in large animal models before moving on to human clinical trials.
“This research is aligned with the national priority fields of Australia in medical science and quantum technology,” according to the Unisa researcher, Professor Benjamin Thierry.
“The commercial potential is immense, a planned global market exceeding $ 2 billion per year,” said Professor Thierry.
Unlike existing lymphatic cartography techniques based on radioactive tracers, quantum probe and the combination of ferrotrace offer a safer and more efficient combination, according to the main researcher and Ferronova development engineer, Dr. Aidan Cousins.
“This technology is particularly promising for patients with chemotherapy and radiotherapy before surgery, where conventional lymphatic cartography methods have limited efficiency,” said Dr. Cousins.
“This could be a paradigm shift in the treatment of cancer, improving the quality of life of millions of patients worldwide.”
Preclinical trials should start in the next year.
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