Leeds scientists discover way to deliver cancer drugs straight to tumours with 'microbubble' technology

Leeds scientists have discovered a groundbreaking technique to deliver cancer drugs straight to tumours in 'bubbles' which are then burst by ultrasound to deliver their load straight into the cancer.
Scientists at the University of Leeds found that microbubbles - small man-made spheres, about half the size of a red blood cell - could be used to transport cancer drugs to the cancer inside a patient’s body,Scientists at the University of Leeds found that microbubbles - small man-made spheres, about half the size of a red blood cell - could be used to transport cancer drugs to the cancer inside a patient’s body,
Scientists at the University of Leeds found that microbubbles - small man-made spheres, about half the size of a red blood cell - could be used to transport cancer drugs to the cancer inside a patient’s body,

The technique could bypass many of the side effects of traditional chemotherapy treatment, preserving the healthy cells from damage.

Scientists at the University of Leeds found that microbubbles - small man-made spheres, about half the size of a red blood cell - could be used to transport cancer drugs to the cancer inside a patient’s body,

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The bubbles are equipped with antibodies, which act as a “navigational aid” because they are attracted to a growth hormone found in the blood vessels supplying the tumour.

A pulse from an ultrasound device can then be used to burst the bubbles and release the medication, the researchers say.

While cancer treatments such as chemo and radiotherapy are available, they take a heavy toll on patients, as they also destroy healthy cells.

Cancer kills around 165,000 people in the UK every year and accounts for over a quarter (28 per cent) of all deaths.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dr Ingram, who co-authored the study with Professor Stephen Evans, said: “Being able to deliver anticancer drugs in a very targeted fashion would be a major advance in cancer therapy.

“One of the big problems with cancer drugs is that they are highly toxic to the rest of the body too.

“Microbubble technology allows us to use these very powerful drugs with precision and that reduces the risk of the drug damaging healthy cells nearby.

“It is about finely focused drug delivery.”

The researchers conducted animal trials and found cancer drugs remained in the body for longer when administered through microbubbles.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This means they were able to slow cancer growth with a much smaller dose than usual.

Professor Evans said: “The results of this study are exciting because we not only show the very precise and targeted way microbubbles can be guided to cancer sites but that the efficacy of drug delivery is substantially improved, opening the way to use highly toxic drugs to fight cancer, without the harmful side effects.

“Put simply, you get more bang for your buck.”

Next, the researchers are planning to test their bubble treatment on patients with advanced bowel cancer, the third most common cancer in the UK.

Over 42,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK every year.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Professor Evans said: “Complex medicines have the potential to be the third wave of medicines, addressing patients’ problems which conventionally administered small molecules and monoclonal antibodies cannot.

“This project is a very encouraging example of exploring how using an advanced drug delivery technology could improve biodistribution, targeting and efficacy of a potentially toxic therapeutic.”

The findings were published in the journal Theranostics.