Summary of Invention
The frequent failure of chemotherapy treatment in solid tumors is believed to be due to inefficient drug levels at the site of the tumor. Current studies have shown that solid tumors have significantly higher interstitial fluid pressures (IFP) than adjacent normal tissue, resulting in a barrier to molecular transport from the capillary network to the site of the tumor.
This invention provides a small implantable device, which significantly improves the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment by relieving the elevated IFP; enhancing tumor vascular flow; and specifically increasing the concentration of drug in the tumor. In recent animal studies, scientists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering have shown that tumors containing this device shrink much faster and attain a smaller size in response to systemic administration of a chemotherapeutic agent. In addition, when tested in conjunction with antitumor antibodies, this device increased the amount of specific antibody uptake by the tumor.
Advantages
This device has a broad potential utility in the treatment of solid tumors and can be used with numerous classes of compounds, macromolecules, and biologics, including chemotherapeutics and monoclonal antibodies.
- The use of this device in rats in conjunction with conventional chemotherapy reduces tumor size by more than 60 percent as compared with chemotherapy treatment alone.
- With this device, tumors shrink 2.5-times faster than controls.
- With this device, tumor uptake of antibodies improves by 75 percent.
- This device is useful for treatment of most solid tumors, including soft tissue sarcomas, and cancers of the breast, bone, liver, and brain.
Stage of Development
Animal studies (rats and dogs) carried out.
Lead Inventors
Dr. Gene R. DiResta
Dr. John H. Healey
Patent Information
US patents 5,484,399 and 6,547,777.
Contact Information
Jeff Horenstein, PhD
Tel: 212-639-6181, Fax: 212-717-3439
E-mail: horenstj@mskcc.org
