Halifax Firm Reports Breakthrough in Cancer Therapy Study

A Halifax-based life sciences company, Sona Nanotech, has announced promising results from a study on a new cancer therapy. The research focused on a treatment called targeted hyperthermia therapy (THT), which was administered to patients suffering from metastatic melanoma who had not responded to traditional immunotherapy.

Dr. Carman Giacomantonio, a researcher and surgical oncologist involved in the study, described the innovative approach. “We’ve taken gold nanoparticles, just nanorods, one billionth of a metre long, and inserted them into tumours,” he explained. The procedure involves passing infrared light over these nanorods, which convert the light into heat. This heat alters the core of the tumour, making it more visible to the immune system.

Dr. Giacomantonio emphasized the significance of manipulating the cancer’s microenvironment. He likened the tumour’s core to a fortress that prevents effective treatment. By applying heat, the environment around the tumour can be changed, causing stress to cancer cells that can ultimately lead to their death.

The results of the trial have been encouraging. According to Sona Nanotech, 80% of the patients who participated in the study experienced measurable tumour responses within two weeks of treatment. Notably, six of those eight patients showed complete tumour elimination.

Future Directions for Targeted Hyperthermia Therapy

Sona Nanotech plans to continue its research, with further trials expected to commence in spring 2024. Dr. Giacomantonio indicated that the next phase will involve a more in-depth analysis of patient responses, particularly focusing on cases where the treatment does not yield the desired results. “We’re moving into other cancers,” he said, noting that this therapy is not limited to melanoma alone.

The company intends to explore the applicability of THT for other types of cancer, including head and neck cancers, colon cancer, rectal cancer, advanced melanomas, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer. While Dr. Giacomantonio expressed optimism regarding the implications of these findings, he cautioned that it may take three to five years before any specific cancer treatment becomes widely available.

“There are many factors at play. We have to prove that it’s as good or better than other therapies, and we believe we can achieve that,” he stated.

For those interested in learning more about the study, Sona Nanotech has made a full webinar available on its YouTube page.

As the field of cancer treatment continues to evolve, the results from Sona Nanotech’s study represent a significant step forward in the quest for more effective therapies for patients battling this challenging disease.