Beyond the Biopsy: A Tiny Monitor for Cancer
A needle biopsy is one of the present ways to detect cancer. During this procedure, tissue is taken out of and analyzed for cancer. However, researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, led by Dr. Michael Cima, are hoping to take this procedure to the next level.
While biopsies are only able to to show the tissue at the time it was taken, this device would stay within the tissue and continuously monitor it for the presence of cancer. The device is a tiny, plastic container monitor that can be implanted in tissue with a biopsy needle. Particles within the device are able to bind to the molecules that are associated with the cancer at its site. An M.R.I can detect the presence of this monitor in the tissue.
The particles are closed into the device, which at the top contains a membrane to allow fluids to come in contact with the particles. These magnetic nanoparticles were developed by Ralph Weissleder who has worked with Dr. Cima in the past.
The team is still far from testing the monitors on humans. However, it has been tested in mice and was successful. The researchers hope to test out the monitor on larger animals whom have more similar tumors to humans. Dr. Mark Saltzman believes that if this device it successful it can lead to many other future possibilities. He hopes that eventually the monitor could work with another device, which would release a drug whenever the monitor detected a change in the tumor.
This article really interested me in that it states how engineers/researchers are working every day to improve cancer detection and treatment. I have friends with cancer, and it is amazing to see that numerous engineers/researchers devote their careers to help detect, monitor, and treat cancer among other diseases. In this article, the idea of this monitor spurred many other ideas for other cancer detection and treatment. Whenever advancements are made, new opportunities arise and it's our responsibility to see them through. In my opinion, this is what engineering is all about: taking what we know and moving it to the next level in order to make our lives and world more advanced, safe, and healthy.
Beyond the Biopsy: A Tiny Monitor for Cancer by Anne Eisenberg
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/business/30novel.html?_r=1&sq=tissue%20engineering&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=1&adxnnlx=1253988113-eJEH//OySZBuyVtakYFHmg
Natasha Inamdar
VTPP 434-501
While biopsies are only able to to show the tissue at the time it was taken, this device would stay within the tissue and continuously monitor it for the presence of cancer. The device is a tiny, plastic container monitor that can be implanted in tissue with a biopsy needle. Particles within the device are able to bind to the molecules that are associated with the cancer at its site. An M.R.I can detect the presence of this monitor in the tissue.
The particles are closed into the device, which at the top contains a membrane to allow fluids to come in contact with the particles. These magnetic nanoparticles were developed by Ralph Weissleder who has worked with Dr. Cima in the past.
The team is still far from testing the monitors on humans. However, it has been tested in mice and was successful. The researchers hope to test out the monitor on larger animals whom have more similar tumors to humans. Dr. Mark Saltzman believes that if this device it successful it can lead to many other future possibilities. He hopes that eventually the monitor could work with another device, which would release a drug whenever the monitor detected a change in the tumor.
This article really interested me in that it states how engineers/researchers are working every day to improve cancer detection and treatment. I have friends with cancer, and it is amazing to see that numerous engineers/researchers devote their careers to help detect, monitor, and treat cancer among other diseases. In this article, the idea of this monitor spurred many other ideas for other cancer detection and treatment. Whenever advancements are made, new opportunities arise and it's our responsibility to see them through. In my opinion, this is what engineering is all about: taking what we know and moving it to the next level in order to make our lives and world more advanced, safe, and healthy.
Beyond the Biopsy: A Tiny Monitor for Cancer by Anne Eisenberg
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/business/30novel.html?_r=1&sq=tissue%20engineering&st=cse&adxnnl=1&scp=1&adxnnlx=1253988113-eJEH//OySZBuyVtakYFHmg
Natasha Inamdar
VTPP 434-501
posted by Natasha Inamdar at 10:26 AM
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