The new implant “captures” cancer metastasis – BBC Russian

Image copyright Science Photo Library

Image caption Scientists have long been trying to find a way to detect metastases at an early stage of cancer

US scientists have developed a sponge-like implant that attracts cancer cells.

The implant was tested in mice. Scientists hope that in the future it could become a kind of early warning system for physicians, indicating the spread of cancer cells. It also makes the cancer cells to infect other parts of the body.

The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.

The implant diameter of 5 mm, made of biomaterial that is already authorized for use in medical instruments, has been tested on mice with breast cancer.

Experiments on mice have demonstrated that the implant is introduced either in the abdominal fat, or under the skin, sticks to itself cancer cells.

Implant mimics the process by which cancer cells separated from the tumor spread to other parts of the body, where they attract cells of the immune system.

The cells of the immune system comprises the implant, as it should be when it detects a foreign body, and that in turn attracts cancer cells.

Image copyright Science Photo Library

Image caption So far, the studies were conducted only in mice

Initially, the researchers “tagged” cancer cells, in order to they shone and, accordingly, it was easy to spot.

Then they moved on to another method of imaging in which they can distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells, and found that they can thus find cancer cells ” captured “the implant.

It was also found that when using this implant the number of cancer cells in other parts of the body decreased considerably.

Researchers have long been trying to find a way to detect metastases at an early stage of cancer, but cancer cells circulating in the blood are rare and difficult to find.

The head of the research team, Professor Lonnie Shay from the Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan said that human trials should begin in the near future.

“We want to make sure that the cell metastasis will be captured by the implant in the same way as it did in mice, and in addition, find out how safe this procedure,” – he said.

The scientists also continue animal testing to see what happens after the early detection of cancer cells, as this process is still poorly understood.