Oxygen generators 'boost cancer treatment'
Wednesday 31st August 2011
Using tiny oxygen generators may boost the effectiveness of anticancer treatment, according to a new study.
Research conducted at Purdue University revealed that the miniature devices implanted in tumours to generate oxygen, boosted the power of radiation and chemotherapy.
Solid tumours are notoriously difficult to treat because the core contains low oxygen levels, while radiation therapy needs oxygen to be effective.
"Hypoxic areas are hard to kill. Pancreatic and cervical cancers are notoriously hypoxic. If you generate oxygen you can increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy and also chemotherapy," explained Babak Ziaie, university professor.
The devices are placed inside tumours, before exposing them to ultrasound energy, which powers the device, producing oxygen.
In other news, research from the BC Cancer Agency Research Centre in Vancouver found that lung cancer tumours differ between smokers and non-smokers.
Different patterns of genetic alterations between the two groups suggest that the conditions are driven by separate molecular mechanisms, researchers believe.
Written by Mathew Horton
Related articles
Chemical to tackle breast cancer found in celery
Doctors and those in biomedical science jobs have long been searching for a definitive treatment to help treat breast cancer, but...
Thursday 17th May 2012
Prostate cancer drug set to be approved
A prostate cancer drug is set to be approved and put into use across NHS services after previously being rejected. The...
Wednesday 16th May 2012
Blindness could be treated with diabetes drug
Blindness is one condition that many people fear, the debilitating effect that it has can change a person's life forever. ...
Wednesday 9th May 2012
Related Biomedical-Science Jobs
Band 6 Locum Fertility Technician needed for a 6 month job opportunity working in London. We are looking for a band 6 locum...
Full infoMulti BMS - London A Multidisciplinary BMS needed for a Busy London Pathology Deparment to cover a Materinity Leave Must...
Full infoHPC Clinical Cytogeneticist Routine Cytogenetics Department are seeking an experienced Cytogeneticist Locum Cytogeneticist...
Full info