Flexible polymer implant for localised cancer treatment

The implant, described in the journal Biomaterials, consists of a flexible film made from a polymer called PLGA (poly lactic-co-glycolic acid), which is widely used for drug delivery and other medical applications. After the film is embedded with chemotherapy drugs, it can be rolled into a narrow tube and inserted through a catheter. Once the film reaches the pancreas it unfolds and conforms to the shape of the tumour, with medication secreted only from the side of the film in contact with the growth.

"It's clear there is huge potential for a device that can localise treatment at the disease site," said one of the study’s lead authors Laura Indolfi, a postdoctoral student at MIT's Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) and the MGH Cancer Centre.

"You can implant our device to achieve a localised drug release to control tumour progression and potentially shrink it to a size where a surgeon can remove it."