More and more cancer patients are looking for treatment options that allow them to maintain their quality of life during difficult treatment regimens.
Philips Research is developing a new ultrasound-based drug delivery technology designed to increase the effectiveness and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy treatment for certain types of cancer. The system proposes the use of drug-loaded microbubbles, no larger than red blood cells, that can be injected into the patient's bloodstream, tracked via ultrasound imaging and then ruptured by a focused ultrasound pulse to release their drug payload when they reach the desired spot. Because the drugs would only be released at the site of the diseased tissue, the patient's total body exposure to them could be limited.
Researchers say pre-clinical studies have shown the treatment to have the potential to reduce negative side effects in chemotherapy procedures. By avoiding these side effects associated with traditional therapies, these interventions could increase patient comfort and result in faster recovery.
