The University of Dundee will lead a EUR2m EU-funded project to develop new methods of delivering cancer treatments using MRI-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) and drug 'nano-capsules'.
The university will collaborate with international companies Insightec and Capsutech on the 'nanoporation' project, which will develop new, more efficient methods of delivering chemotherapy.
These will integrate MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), focused ultrasound and potentially photonics, with the delivery and activation of nano-capsules carrying anti-cancer drugs to effectively target tumours.
Professor Andreas Melzer, director of the Institute for Medical Science and Technology (IMSaT) at the University of Dundee, said: 'All of the established methods of cancer treatment have significant drawbacks, in that they cause side effects, require invasive procedures or do not deliver their therapeutic effect in an effective manner.
'If we can combine the technologies of ultrasound, MRI and nano-capsules, as well as micro-bubbles, we will be able to release proven anti-cancer drugs in high concentrations only in the area where they are required.
'The project partners have existing technology in each of the areas we are looking at.
'What we need to do is combine the best of it to create a new system that can deliver this very effective model of treatment.' The treatment envisaged by the project leaders involves drugs being injected into the body in the form of tiny capsules, which are harmless until they are activated by a concentrated focused ultrasound 'blast', using devices developed in IMSaT's medical ultrasound laboratories as well as commercial systems.
The MRI scanner will be used to track the passage of the drugs, visualise the target and monitor the delivery of the drug treatment.
With the focused ultrasound concentrated on the exact position of the tumour in the body, damage to surrounding tissue is minimised and the effective delivery of the drug to the target cells is significantly increased.
IMSaT is unique in the UK in possessing within the same laboratories the multi-modality - MRI, focused ultrasound and photonics - imaging and surgical capabilities to deliver this kind of research.
Insightec and Capsutech deal with different aspects of targeted drug discovery - Insightec manufactures and develops MR-guided focused ultrasound systems and Capsutech develops drug-delivery platforms based on targeted nano-capsules.
The EU's Framework 7 programme will fund the project for four years.
It will create two new post-doctoral research positions and two new PhD positions at IMSaT.
Project staff from all three partners will spend time on secondment at each of the institutions, enhancing knowledge transfer over the course of the programme.
