Drug delivery

Researchers at Dundee University are to lead a €2m (£1.7m) European Union (EU)-funded project to develop new methods of delivering cancer treatments using MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) and drug 'nano-capsules'.

The university will collaborate with international companies InSightec and CapsuTech on the so-called NANOPORATION project, which will develop new, more efficient methods of delivering chemotherapy.

These will integrate MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), focused ultrasound and potentially photonics, with the delivery and activation of nano-capsules carrying anti-cancer drugs to effectively target tumours.

Prof Andreas Melzer, director of the Institute for Medical Science and Technology (IMSaT) at Dundee University, said: 'All of the established methods of cancer treatment have significant drawbacks, in that they cause side effects, require invasive procedures or do not deliver their therapeutic effect in an effective manner.

'If we can combine these technologies of ultrasound, MRI and nano-capsules, as well as micro-bubbles, we will be able to release proven anti-cancer drugs in high concentration only in the area where they are required. The project partners have existing technology in each of the areas we are looking at. What we need to do is combine the best of it to create a new system that can deliver this very effective model of treatment.'