Biogel Against Cancer

Scientists from the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) have developed a new injectable biogel that can deliver anti–cancer agents into cancerous tumours to kill them. Researchers said that the technology, if successful could one day revolutionise the treatment of many forms of cancer.

The biogel is a liquid that gels at 37°C human body temperature and is compatible with anti–cancer immune cells. It is used to encapsulate these cells by administering them using a syringe or catheter into the tumour or beside it. This will allow treating the cancer directly instead of injecting the cells or administering anti–cancer drugs into the body through the blood stream.

The study published in the journal ‘Biomaterials’ reports the success of biogel in vitro models to treat melanoma and kidney cancer.