Rice University and its team of researchers have been awarded a $45 million grant from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to develop a ground-breaking implant technology that could revolutionize cancer treatment. The team, spanning multiple fields including bioengineering, materials science, immunology, and artificial intelligence, will work on developing an implant that can continuously monitor a patient’s cancer and adjust their immunotherapy dose in real time.
Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising approach in cancer treatment, but there are challenges in ensuring its effectiveness. The implant, named HAMMR (hybrid advanced molecular manufacturing regulator), aims to address these challenges by providing real-time monitoring of a patient’s condition and delivering personalized treatment accordingly.
The technology is specifically targeted towards patients with difficult-to-treat cancers such as ovarian and pancreatic cancer. These types of cancer often have poor prognoses, and there is a need for innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes. By adjusting the immunotherapy dose in response to real-time monitoring, the team hopes to significantly improve the success rate of this treatment approach for these patients.
The project, called THOR (targeted hybrid oncotherapeutic regulation), brings together researchers from seven states with expertise in various fields. This collaboration will enable the team to leverage their diverse skills and knowledge to develop the implant and optimize its performance.
The funding for the project includes a first-phase clinical trial of HAMMR for the treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer. This trial, scheduled to begin in the fourth year of the project, will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the implant in a real-world setting. If successful, the technology has the potential to be applied to other peritoneal cancers affecting organs such as the pancreas and lungs.
Administering the THOR award is the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, a medical innovation and commercialization initiative. Their expertise in navigating the complex process of bringing medical innovations to market will be instrumental in ensuring the success of THOR.
The ARPA-H grant is part of the organization’s Open Broad Agency Announcement solicitation. This is the second project to be funded through the program, with Emory University leading the first project aimed at boosting immune cell function, which was awarded $24 million.
With innovative projects like THOR and advancements in technology, the future of cancer treatment is looking brighter. By harnessing the power of real-time monitoring and personalized medicine, researchers are taking significant steps towards improving outcomes for patients with difficult-to-treat cancers.
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