June brings exciting news combining science and technology to aid the fight on cancer. Scientists have used an established tool, ultrasound, in a new way to deliver immunotherapy to cancer patients. A Southwest Florida oncologist is bringing new cancer technology to make the delivery of radiation more precise and safer for patients. Ion technology, which is a robotic bronchoscopy, is helping doctors diagnose and treat lung cancer faster.

UTSW Researchers Develop Microbubble Technology to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy

Researchers at UT Southwestern have developed a first-of-its-kind ultrasound-guided cancer immunotherapy platform that delivers immunostimulant agents to cells for the development of systemic anti-tumor immunity reports utsouthwestern.edu. The microbubble-assisted ultrasound guided immunotherapy of cancer (MUSIC) makes the bubbles oscillate which creates holes to deliver agents into the cells. The immunotherapy agents cause immune responses to kill cancer lesions and tumors. These agents have a lower toxicity and limit the risk of an inflammatory response. Ultrasound is much more affordable and widely available, making this a better treatment option for patients. Find more information here.

SWFL Doctor Uses New Technology to Help Direct Radiation Treatments for Cancer

Dr Dosoretz’s practice is the first in the country to use a new smart system called identify. A combination of hardware and software tool that generates a 3D model of a patient’s body allowing technicians to make real time adjustments for even the slightest movements reports WINKNews.com. This tracking and mapping system makes radiation delivery more precise. The increase in precision of radiation delivery affects the other organs near the cancer less, causing less side effects and less damage to the body. This technology will not deliver the radiation unless the patient is in the exact correct position allowing for better outcomes. Find more information here.

New Technology at South Shore Helps Diagnose Cancer Earlier

The ion technology, in which they are the first in Long Island to have, is a method of how you can streamline someone to get a lung biopsy through a bronchoscope, which is a camera that goes through the airway, and it helps navigate all the way to any part of the lung with this new technology reports islipbulletin.net. During this procedure, the doctors can diagnose lung cancer from a lesion sample as well as obtaining a sample from the lymph nodes. These samples allow for staging of the cancer to be determined all during one procedure. Ion technology allows for a significantly earlier diagnosis and the decision whether surgery or other treatments are needed can be determined earlier. This robotic bronchoscopy cuts the diagnosis time from 4 months down to 3 weeks. Earlier diagnosis of lung cancer can cause a better outcome for the patient. Find more information here.

Dana Kaiser

Dana Kaiser is a professional writer and a strong patient advocate, learning from experience during her 22-year career as a nurse.