The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Inc.

Dana-farber-cancer Institute Inc.

Northeastern University

Rajiv Kumar

Gerassimos M Makrigiorgos

Srinivas Sridhar

Wilfred F Ngwa

Robert Cormack

Stephanie Dougan

Compositions and methods for the radiological and immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer are provided. Metallic nanoparticles conjugated with an immunoadjuvant are dispersed within a biodegradable polymer matrix that can be implanted in a patient and released gradually. The implant may be configured as, or be a component of, brachytherapy spacers and applicators, or radiotherapy fiducial markers. The composition may be combined with marginless radiotherapy, allowing for lower doses of radiation and enhancing the immune response against cancer, including at non-irradiated sites.

Biomaterials for combined radiotherapy and immunotherapy of cancer

A method of detecting migration of tumor cells is provided by implanting in a region of tumor cells one or more implants having a matrix material of a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix material and functionalized to bind tumor cells. Nanoparticles bound to the tumor cells that have migrated out of the region can be detected by various imaging modalities. The implant can be in the shape of a brachytherapy spacer or radiotherapy fiducial maker or can be a coating on a brachytherapy spacer or fiducial marker. A method of treating cancer is provided by implanting one or more brachytherapy spacers or fiducial markers including the matrix material and an anti-cancer therapeutic agent dispersed within the matrix material.

Biopolymer-nanoparticle composite implant for tumor cell tracking

Growing community of inventors

Malden, MA, United States of America

Rajiv Kumar