Tag Archive for: NIH

July 2023 Digital Health Roundup

In July science and technology are merging to further the fight against cancer. Scientists are using 3D printing to make immunotherapy treatments more effective for cancer patients. Using 3D models of ovarian cancer cells, researchers are learning which therapies work on cancer cells based on their location and accessibility in the tumor. With the assistance of artificial intelligence, radiologists are providing more precise radiation treatment to cancer patients.

3D Bioprinting Technology to be Used for Removing Cancer Cells

A three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology capable of eliminating cancer cells using the function of immune cells has been developed for the first time in the world reports Medical Design Development. Scientists are using this technology to help with immunotherapy to treat cancer. The 3D printed hydrogels completely surround natural killer (NK) cells to protect them, allowing the NK cells to get to the tumor cells. Small holes form in the hydrogel and the NK cells are released. When they are released, it functions to cause an immune response to the tumor. This technology is hoped to have a significant impact on the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatment for cancer patients. Click to read the full story.

NIH Develops Novel Tumor Identification Technology

The approach known as the segmentation by exogenous perfusion (SEEP) system reveals the genetic activity of single cells within a tumor with fluorescent dyes that spread into the tumors. According to the release, measuring how much dye gets into individual tumor cells provides information on the cell’s location and its access to the outside environment. Computational methods are then used to link the information to cells, gene activity, allowing researchers to connect the cells identities with their location reports Pharm Tech. Scientists developed this method using 3D models of ovarian cancer cells to learn why genes are turned on in relation to their location and environment. This information can help determine what therapies will work on the cancer cells. Scientists can also learn where the cells are in the tumor and how accessible they would be for drug delivery. Click to read full story.

AI Cuts Treatment Time for Cancer Radiotherapy

A new type of artificial intelligence technology that cuts the time cancer patients must wait before starting radiotherapy is to be offered at cost price to all NHS trusts in England reports BBC. This AI helps direct where to send the radiation to kill the cancer and saves healthy cells. Doctors can spend hours going through imaging to contour bones and organs for the radiation. Precision is important to save healthy tissue. This AI program is 2 1/2 times quicker and is called Inner Eye. Inner Eye is considered a medical imaging device. Radiologists still check contours created by the program and it has been found to be 90% accurate. This precision can be life changing for patients, limiting life altering side effects of radiation. This AI also frees up more of the radiologist’s valuable time. Click here for full story.