Halifax Firm Reveals Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment Study

A life sciences company based in Halifax, Sona Nanotech, has announced promising results from a recent study on a new cancer therapy. The research focuses on a treatment known as targeted hyperthermia therapy (THT), which was administered to patients suffering from metastatic melanoma who were unresponsive to conventional immunotherapy.

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

The core of a tumour is often described as a “fortress.” It prevents treatments from effectively reaching and destroying cancerous cells. By manipulating this microenvironment through heat, Dr. Giacomantonio has found a method to stress the cancer cells, which can lead to their destruction.

The results from Sona Nanotech’s trial have been significant. According to the company, eight out of ten patients who participated experienced measurable tumour responses within just two weeks of treatment. Of those, six patients achieved complete tumour elimination.

Future Trials and Broader Applications

The study is set to continue in Spring 2024, with plans for a more in-depth analysis of treatment responses. Dr. Giacomantonio expressed optimism about expanding the research, stating, “We hope to start that trial and go into a more in-depth analysis of what the responses are and particularly when it doesn’t work, why it didn’t work.” He emphasized that this therapy is not limited to melanoma and could potentially be effective against other cancer types.

Sona Nanotech aims to explore the application of THT in treating head and neck cancers within the next year. The therapy may also have implications for colon cancer, rectal cancer, advanced melanomas, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer.

While the results are promising, Dr. Giacomantonio cautions that the path to regular use of such therapies remains lengthy. “We have to prove that it’s as good or better than other therapies, and we think we can do that. It’s a three-to-five-year process before we have a single cancer that we can actually get an indication for,” he noted.

For those interested in learning more, Sona Nanotech has provided a full webinar on its study, available on its YouTube page. The implications of this research could pave the way for significant advancements in cancer treatment, offering hope to patients who currently have limited options.