A groundbreaking treatment developed at the University of Wollongong aims to improve outcomes for patients suffering from pancreatic cancer, a disease known for its late-stage diagnosis and low survival rates. The innovative device, named ResectAssistTM, is designed to be smaller than a Tic-Tac and could provide new hope for nearly 5,000 Australians diagnosed with this cancer each year.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Kara Vine-Perrow describes the device as slightly larger than a grain of rice. It is intended to be implanted directly into or around a pancreatic tumour. The goal is to deliver concentrated doses of medication that could shrink the tumour, making surgical removal a viable option for patients who currently do not qualify for such interventions.
Pancreatic cancer often presents significant challenges for treatment, with many patients diagnosed too late for effective surgical options. According to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, nearly 220 individuals in the Illawarra region died from pancreatic cancer between 2018 and 2022, highlighting its prevalence as a leading cause of death.
Professor Vine-Perrow explained that the unique characteristics of pancreatic tumours complicate treatment. The dense, fibrotic tissue surrounding these tumours restricts drug penetration, rendering conventional chemotherapy ineffective. This tissue not only compresses blood vessels but also creates an environment that hides cancer cells from the immune system.
To counter these challenges, the research team has developed a drug-loaded, implantable device that can bypass the barriers typically faced in treatment. “By directly implanting these devices into the tumour, we can deliver high concentrations of drugs precisely where they are needed,” Professor Vine-Perrow stated. This method not only targets the tumour effectively but also spares the rest of the body from the side effects of systemic chemotherapy.
The implants are composed of polymers and a specific combination of drugs, allowing for controlled release over time. The aim is to minimize invasiveness during the implantation process. Patients could potentially receive these devices through a minimally invasive gastrointestinal procedure already in use for diagnosing pancreatic cancer.
This month, Professor Vine-Perrow’s team received a significant boost with a grant of $500,000 aimed at advancing their research and commercialisation efforts. This funding will facilitate the transition to human trials for ResectAssistTM. “We have completed all local pre-clinical testing and are now ready to move to the validation stage,” she noted.
The next steps involve using medical-grade materials to produce the implants and establishing manufacturing processes to support clinical trials. While the current focus is on pancreatic cancer, Professor Vine-Perrow highlighted the potential for this technology to be adapted for other types of cancer. Her laboratory has already explored its suitability for treating breast and brain cancers.
The project has benefited from local community support, particularly from the Illawarra Cancer Carers, a volunteer group that has played a crucial role in funding and sustaining the research efforts. “We owe much of our progress to the community’s backing,” Professor Vine-Perrow acknowledged.
As Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month unfolds this November, the promising advancements in treatment through innovative devices like ResectAssistTM underline the urgency of addressing this challenging disease. The journey ahead involves translating this research into real-world applications that could save lives and improve the prognosis for countless patients.
