MRI Technique Can Revolutionize Non-Invasive Surgery

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MRI TECHNIQUE CAN REVOLUTIONIZE NON-INVASIVE
SURGERY
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By Vikki Harmonay
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A new highly targeted anti-tumor treatment has
been developed by scientists at University
College London. Using the magnetic fields
generated by an MRI Scanner, the approach
involves guiding ferromagnetic thermoseeds to the
site of a tumor. The tumor can then be destroyed
by the magnetic seeds through localized heating
induced by an MR-compatible thermoblative
device. The scientists call the technique
minimally invasive image-guided ablation or
MIMIMA. Its hoped that it can provide effective
treatments for brain and prostate cancers. It
converts an MRI Scanner from a diagnostic device
to a therapeutic one that helps guide a
thermoblative treatment directly to the tumor
site.
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By implanting 2 mm-sized metal alloy beads
superficially, the magnetic fields of an MRI
Scanner can be used to guide them to the tumor
site. The beads can then be remotely activate to
produce heat, which kills nearby cancer
cells. MINIMA is a new MRI-guided therapy that
has the potential to avoid traditional side
effects by precisely treating the tumor without
harming healthy tissues, said Mark Lythgoe, one
of the developers of the new technique. Because
the heating seed is magnetic, the magnetic fields
in the MRI scanner can be used to remotely steer
the seed through tissue to the tumor. Once at the
tumor, the seed can then be heated, destroying
the cancer cells, while causing limited damage to
surrounding healthy tissues.
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The ability to image the tumor and magnetic seeds
while performing the magnetic guidance and
thermoablation is a major benefit of the approach
as it limits the potential for off-target
effects. The treatment could be delivered with
precision and without having to perform open
surgery. As a result, recovery times will be
reduced and side effects are minimized. The
system was tested in a mouse tumor model. They
were able to eradicate the mouse tumors entirely.
In the future, the team hopes to change the shape
of the seed in order for it to act as a tiny
cutting scalpel that can be guided through
tissue. This could allow surgeons to perform
remotely controlled operations which would
revolutionize non-invasive surgery.
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• About the author Vikki Harmonay

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