Scientists at the Houston Methodist Research Institute have developed a biodegradable implant that delivers cancer-fighting immunotherapy drugs directly into tumors over an extended period, a promising approach that could improve treatment effectiveness while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
The rice-sized implant, known as a biodegradable nanofibrous drug-eluting seed (b-NDES), acts as a miniature drug reservoir. Once implanted inside a tumor, it slowly releases immune-stimulating drugs over time before naturally breaking down in the body, eliminating the need for surgical removal.
The study, published in the Journal of Controlled Release, was co-led by Dr. Alessandro Grattoni, Chair and Director of the Center for BioNanoengineering, and Dr. Corrine Chua, Associate Professor at the Houston Methodist Research Institute.
Designed to Activate the Immune System at the Tumor Site
Researchers developed the implant to concentrate immunotherapy drugs within the tumor microenvironment, allowing the body’s immune system to attack cancer more effectively while reducing exposure to healthy tissues.
“To improve cancer treatment, we’re trying to start a fire inside the tumor itself,” said Dr. Chua. “By activating immune cells directly within the tumor microenvironment, those cells can then travel throughout the body and seek out cancer wherever it exists. The b-NDES platform was developed to help keep therapeutic drugs concentrated inside tumors while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues.”
Promising Results in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
In preclinical models of triple-negative breast cancer, researchers combined the implant with radiation therapy and two immunotherapy drugs.
The localized drug delivery system kept the medications concentrated within the tumor while limiting their spread to the rest of the body. The treatment completely eliminated tumors in 60% of the models and produced no significant side effects in healthy tissues.
Potential Beyond Breast Cancer
Although the current research focused on triple-negative breast cancer, the scientists believe the technology could be adapted for a wide range of solid tumors.
“The approach could have broader applications for solid tumors,” said Dr. Grattoni. “It could potentially be used in cancers where there is a tumor lesion accessible for placement, including pancreatic or lung cancers.”
Next Steps Toward Clinical Use
The next phase of the research will focus on evaluating the implant in additional cancer types while advancing manufacturing processes and safety studies required before human clinical trials can begin.
The study also involved researchers from Houston Methodist, UTHealth, Baylor College of Medicine, and the University of Washington, highlighting a collaborative effort to advance next-generation targeted cancer therapies.