Researchers have introduced a novel treatment strategy for prostate cancer, achieving a remarkable success rate in eradicating cancer cells in 73% of the patients who participated in the study.
Prostate cancer ranks as the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among men in the United States.
An innovative study carried out by teams from the University of Virginia, Mount Sinai, the University of Michigan, and the University of Texas, among others, has proven the effectiveness of a new therapy that utilizes nanoparticle technology combined with laser guidance for treating prostate cancer.
This research involved 44 men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer, employing gold nanoshells combined with advanced imaging techniques, specifically magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound fusion, to accurately target and destroy cancerous prostate tissue.
Gold nanoshells are minuscule particles, significantly smaller than a human hair, that can be modified to absorb particular wavelengths of light effectively and produce heat. In this application, these nanoshells were engineered to gather in the tumors, facilitating an extremely focused near-infrared laser treatment that heats and eradicates cancer tissue while leaving nearby healthy cells unharmed.
This cutting-edge approach, known as nanoparticle-directed focal photothermal ablation, resulted in the successful removal of cancerous cells in 73% of patients after 12 months, validated by negative biopsy results in the targeted areas. Notably, this treatment was able to achieve such outcomes while maintaining essential functions, including urinary and sexual health, and without noticeable side effects, significantly enhancing the overall quality of life for patients.
“Our results mark a significant advancement in the treatment of prostate cancer. This therapy not only efficiently eliminates cancer cells but also safeguards critical quality-of-life aspects, which is a tremendous benefit for patients,” stated Jennifer L. West, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Virginia, who co-authored the study and contributed to the technology’s invention.
“This research highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration,” West added. “Together, we are expanding the horizons of what can be achieved in cancer treatment, and it’s thrilling to lead this innovation.”
This groundbreaking cancer treatment is being commercialized by Nanospectra Biosciences, Inc., a company co-founded by Dean West.
The study titled “A Multi-Institutional Study of Magnetic Resonance/Ultrasound Fusion-Guided Nanoparticle-Directed Focal Therapy for Prostate Ablation” was published online on September 3, 2024, in the Journal of Urology.
