Treating Liver Cancer with Microrobots Piloted by a Magnetic Field
Researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre have made significant progress in the treatment of liver cancer by using microrobots controlled by a magnetic field. Led by radiologist Gilles Soulez, the Canadian team has developed a novel approach that could revolutionize interventional radiology procedures for liver cancer.
Injecting microscopic robots into the bloodstream to deliver targeted medical treatment has been a concept explored for some time. However, limitations in navigating these microrobots have hindered their effectiveness, particularly when treating tumors located higher than the injection site. The force of gravity on these microrobots has exceeded the magnetic force, making it challenging to guide them accurately.
To overcome this obstacle, the research team developed an algorithm that combines the magnetic navigation force with the force of gravity. This innovative approach allows the microrobots to travel to the arterial branches feeding the tumor more effectively. By varying the direction of the magnetic field, the scientists can precisely guide the microrobots to the desired treatment sites while preserving healthy cells.
The results of this groundbreaking study, published in Science Robotics, could have a significant impact on the treatment of liver cancers, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma, which is responsible for 700,000 deaths worldwide annually. The current standard treatment for this cancer involves transarterial chemoembolization, which requires skilled personnel and entails directly administering chemotherapy into the artery supplying the liver tumor while blocking the blood supply to the tumor using microcatheters guided by X-ray imaging.
The magnetic resonance navigation approach developed by Dr. Gilles Soulez’s team offers several advantages over traditional methods. Using an MRI-compatible microrobot injector, the scientists were able to assemble particle trains, which are aggregations of magnetizable microrobots. These stronger microrobots can be more easily guided and detected using MRI imaging, ensuring accurate navigation and dosage delivery.
The researchers conducted trials on 12 pigs to simulate the conditions found in human patients. The microrobots successfully navigated the targeted hepatic artery branches and reached their intended destination, regardless of the tumor’s location in the liver. This data was further validated by simulating the piloting of microrobots on 19 patients using an anatomical atlas of human livers. In over 95% of cases, the navigation algorithm successfully reached the targeted tumor.
Despite these promising results, it is crucial to note that the clinical implementation of this technology is still in the future. For real-time navigation of microrobots, artificial intelligence must be utilized to detect their location in the liver and identify any blockages in the hepatic artery branches. Additionally, models must be developed to simulate blood flow, patient positioning, and magnetic field direction to assess their impact on microrobot transport.
The development of this magnetic field-guided microrobot approach represents an exciting advancement in the treatment of liver cancer. By combining the precise navigation capabilities of microrobots with the power of magnetic fields, researchers may be able to revolutionize interventional radiology procedures and provide more effective treatments for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. This innovative solution offers the potential for improved outcomes, reduced invasiveness, and better visualization of tumors compared to current methods. Further research and development are needed before this technology can be implemented clinically, but the future appears promising for this groundbreaking approach to treating liver cancer.
