In a groundbreaking study, researchers at Fudan University in China claim to have cured mice with breast cancer in just two weeks after implanting a microdevice that deprives cancer cells of oxygen. The innovation was announced at the Science Advances magazine on March 31st.
The self-charging battery works with salt water injected into the cancerous area, consuming the cells’ oxygen in a process called hypoxia. The researchers explain that this system causes cancer cells to “starve” without the necessary oxygen to develop.
It also allows a new class of drugs, hypoxia-activated prodrugs (HAPs), to kill tumors while leaving healthy tissue intact.
The device was implanted in the armpits of 25 laboratory mice with breast cancer. “After 14 days, tumors in the five mice that received the battery and drug treatment shrank by an average of 90% – with four of the mice experiencing tumor disappearance,” says lead study author Fan Zhang, a professor at Fudan University. .
Tumors in the other groups of rodents — which included those that received no treatment, those that received only PAH drugs, a non-functional implanted battery, or just the working battery — either remained the same size or had enlarged by the end of the study.
Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the disorderly multiplication of breast cells causing a tumor. Although it mainly affects women, the disease can also be diagnosed in men.Sakan Piriyapongsak / EyeEm/ Getty Images
*****Ilustracao-seio-feminino.jpgAccording to the National Cancer Institute (Inca), there are several types of breast cancer. Some have rapid development, while others grow slowly. Most cases, when treated early, have a good prognosis.Science Photo Library – ROGER HARRIS/ Getty Images
*****Photo-woman-doing-mammogram-1.jpgThere is no specific cause for the disease. However, environmental, genetic, hormonal and behavioral factors can increase the risk of developing the disease. In addition, the risk increases with age, being common in people over 50 years old.Jupiterimages/ Getty Images
****Photo-doctor-with-hand-on-patient-leg.jpgAlthough there are real chances of cure if diagnosed early, breast cancer is challenging. It often takes strength, hair, breasts, self-esteem and, in some cases, life. According to Inca, the disease is responsible for the highest number of deaths from cancer in the Brazilian female population.wera Rodsawang/ Getty Images
*****Photo-woman-doing-preventive-examination-2.jpgThe main signs of the disease are the appearance of hardened and usually painless lumps or nodules. In addition to these, changes in the characteristics of the skin or nipples, spontaneous discharge of liquid from one of the nipples, nodules in the neck or in the armpit region, and red breast skin or similar to an orange peel are other symptoms.Boy_Anupong/ Getty Images
*****Photo-woman-with-hands-on-bosom-1.jpgThe famous self-examination is extremely important in the early identification of the disease. However, to do it correctly, it is important to carry out the assessment at three different times: in front of the mirror, standing and lying down.Annette Bunch/Getty Images
****Illustration-preventive-breast-cancer-exam (1)In front of the mirror, take off all your clothes and look at your breasts with your arms down. Then raise your arms and check the breasts. Finally, place your hands on the basin, pressing to see if there is any change in the surface of the breasts.Reproduction / Metropolises
****Illustration-preventive-breast-cancer-exam (2)Foot palpation should be done while bathing with a wet body and soapy hands. To do this, raise your left arm, placing your hand behind your head. Then carefully feel the left breast with your right hand. Repeat these steps on the right breast.Reproduction / Metropolises
*****Photo-woman-doing-preventive-examination-1.jpgPalpation should be done with the fingers of the hand together and stretched, in circular movements across the breast and from top to bottom. After palpation, the nipples should also be pressed gently to see if there is any liquid coming out.Saran Sinsaward / EyeEm / Getty Images
*****Photo-woman-doing-preventive-examination-4.jpgFinally, lying down, place your left hand on the back of your head. Then, with your right hand, feel your left breast, checking the entire region. These steps must be repeated on the right breast to complete the evaluation of both breasts.FG Trade/ Getty Images
*****Photo-woman-doing-preventive-examination-6.jpgWomen over 20 who have cases of cancer in the family or over 40 years without cases of cancer in the family should perform breast self-examination to prevent and diagnose the disease earlyAlexanderFord/Getty Images
******Photo-symbol-October-pink-against-breast-cancer-3.jpgThe exam can also be done by men, who despite the atypicality, may suffer from this type of cancer, presenting similar symptoms.SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/ Getty Images
*****Photo-woman-doing-mammogram-2.jpgAccording to specialists, in the face of suspicion of the disease, it is important to seek a doctor to start official tests, such as mammography and laboratory tests, capable of pointing out the presence of the disease. andresr/ Getty Images
*****Photo-woman-with-hands-on-bosom-2.jpgIt is important to know that the presence of small lumps in the breast does not necessarily indicate that cancer is developing. However, if this nodule gets bigger over time or if it causes other symptoms, it could indicate malignancy and therefore should be investigated by a doctor.Westend61/ Getty Images
*****Photo-woman-doing-preventive-examination-3.jpgThe treatment of breast cancer will depend on the extent of the disease and the characteristics of the tumor. However, it may include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and biologic therapy. Peter Dazeley/Getty Images
*****Picture-symbol-October-pink-against-breast-cancer-2.jpgThe results, however, are better when the disease is caught early. In case it has spread to other organs (metastases), the treatment will seek to prolong survival and improve the patient’s quality of lifeBurak Karademir/ Getty Images
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Professor Zhang explains that tumors often deplete oxygen in nearby non-cancerous tissues as they grow, resulting in oxygen starved or hypoxic cells. The battery operated for up to 500 hours inside the mice’s tissue producing very low voltage electricity.
“Hypoxia-activated prodrugs aim to take advantage of this feature by targeting only hypoxic cells – minimizing damage to healthy cells and reducing side effects,” explains Zhang.
In an interview with New Scientist magazine, Professor Randall Johnson, from the University of Cambridge, who was not involved in the study, considers that inducing hypoxia in a tumor may increase the risk of the cancer spreading. “Although this does not seem to have occurred in these mice, the costs and benefits of using the battery in people need to be evaluated before any human treatment,” says Johnson to the publication.
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