A groundbreaking collaboration between Aston University and the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital has yielded promising results in the development of an innovative injectable paste for bone cancer treatment, potentially transforming the therapeutic landscape for patients with primary and metastatic bone cancers.
The research team, backed by a £110,000 grant from Orthopaedic Research UK, is developing a novel treatment using gallium-doped bioglass, which has demonstrated remarkable dual functionality in both eliminating cancer cells and promoting bone regeneration. Recent studies led by Aston University have shown an impressive 99 percent success rate in cancer cell elimination using this innovative biomaterial.
Scientific Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment
The injectable paste represents a significant advancement in targeted therapy, functioning as a drug delivery system that combines anticancer gallium ions with bisphosphonates while simultaneously supporting bone regeneration. Professor Richard Martin from Aston University's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences explains, "Our hypothesis is that this will promote rapid bone formation and will prevent cancer recurrence by killing residual cancer cells and regulating local osteoclastic activity."
Addressing Critical Treatment Gaps
Dr. Lucas Souza, research lab manager at the hospital's Dubrowsky Lab and project lead, highlights the urgent need for innovation in the field: "Advances in treatment of bone cancer have reached a plateau over the past 40 years, in part due to a lack of research studies into treatments and the complexity and challenges that come with treating bone tumours."
Clinical Applications and Benefits
The treatment shows particular promise for challenging cases where traditional surgical approaches are limited or contraindicated. This includes:
- Tumors located near vital organs
- Cases where major surgery poses excessive risks
- Situations requiring minimally invasive interventions
The paste can be used in conjunction with existing treatments such as cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation, offering enhanced flexibility in managing metastatic bone lesions.
Anticipated Impact on Patient Care
The innovative biomaterial is expected to deliver multiple benefits:
- Reduced cancer recurrence rates
- Lower implant-site infection rates
- Decreased implant failure rates
- Shorter hospital stays
- Reduced antibiotic usage
- Fewer revision surgeries
Dr. Souza emphasizes the potential impact: "These benefits could improve survival rates, functionality and quality of life of bone cancer patients."
Research Team and Collaboration
The project brings together an international team of experts, including:
- Professor Adrian Gardner, director of research and development at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital
- Mr. Jonathan Stevenson, orthopaedic oncology and arthroplasty consultant
- Dr. Eirini Theodosiou from Aston University
- Professor Joao Lopes from the Brazilian Aeronautics Institute of Technology
This collaborative effort represents a significant step forward in addressing the long-standing challenges in bone cancer treatment, offering new hope for patients with limited therapeutic options.
