GLASGOW University scientists have used a microwave device to destroy cervical cancer cells.
The team tried Emblation's Swift device to treat lab-grown cancer cells and were impressed by the highly effective results.
The new technology is a “first and vital step forward” in delivering less painful and more effective treatment for cancer patients, according to researchers.
It comes as the Glasgow Times launched its campaign, Don’t Fear the Smear, in order to increase the city’s staggeringly low uptake numbers and reduce hospital waiting times.
The research focused specifically on treating cervical tumour tissues associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV) infections.
Variations of HPV cause genital warts and are associated with a host of genital cancers in both men and women.
High risk HPVs cause more than 99% of cervical cancers.
After growing 3D cancer tissues in the lab, the team then treated them with precise bursts of microwave energy from the Swift device.
While varying the length of bursts and temperatures involved, the scientists measured and recorded the effects on cancer cells and surrounding tissues.
They found that the microwave energy “induced sustained, localised cell death at the treatment site”. They also found lower levels of protein associated with cancer causing cells, a reduction in growth of diseased cells and increased levels of programmed cell death in tumours.
Dr Matt Kidd, director of research and development at Emblation, said: “It’s hugely important that these results have been proven repeatedly under laboratory conditions and peer reviewed.
“This is a first and absolutely vital step toward eventually getting tests out of the lab and into medical situations involving real patients.
“While we were delighted to provide a Swift device for the research and helped train the scientists in how to use it, we had no involvement in the experiments.
“So, we have been genuinely thrilled to read about the highly promising results in The Lancet.”
Funded by a Chief Scientist Office grant, a five-strong team of scientists at the University of Glasgow undertook the research, with their methodology and findings now being published by The Lancet, one of the world’s oldest and foremost medical journals.
The study appears in eBioMedicine, part of its Discovery Science section.
The Lancet report concludes: “Precision microwave delivery may present a potential new treatment for HPV-positive anogenital precancerous lesions and cancers.”
It goes on: “A new, less invasive and painful method for treating HPV-associated anogenital disease and cancers could prove more acceptable and better tolerated by patients than current procedures and would save time and resources for clinicians and health care systems."
If you or someone you know is dealing with cervical cancer you can call Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust on 0808 802 8000.
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