Galway experts lead project behind implant therapy for ovarian cancer

Researchers at the University of Galway have developed a new implant that could revolutionize the delivery of next-generation therapies for ovarian cancer. The implant, which remains fully functional for up to 70 days with zero complications, is designed to conform to the body's internal contours and sit inside the peritoneal cavity, where ovarian cancer predominantly occurs.

The flexible biomaterial implant allows medicines to diffuse into the surrounding tissue, and is connected to an external port for continuous monitoring and therapy administration. The research team, based at Cúram, the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices, collaborated with experts from the University of Minnesota, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Wyss Institute.

Dr Aoibhín Sheedy, a lead researcher and PhD graduate from Cúram, emphasized the importance of localized therapy delivery for ovarian cancer, stating that this new implant is specifically designed for this purpose. The device's porous structure allows for repeated and precise delivery of living cell or non-cell-based therapies, addressing the current limitations of outdated materials used in conventional treatments.

The implant's dual functionality enables clinicians to track immune cell performance and tumor response in real-time, allowing for timely treatment adjustments. The research was published in the scientific journal Device, highlighting the significant strides being made in cancer research in Ireland, with recent funding supporting numerous advancements in the field.