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Philips Research is developing a new ultrasound-based drug deliverytechnology designed to increase the effectiveness and reduce the side effectsof chemotherapy treatment for certain types of cancer. The system proposesthe use of drug-loaded microbubbles, no larger than red blood cells, that canbe injected into the patient's bloodstream, tracked via ultrasound imaging andthen ruptured by a focused ultrasound pulse to release their drug payload whenthey reach the desired spot. Because the drugs would only be released at thesite of the diseased tissue, the patient's total body exposure to them couldbe limited.
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Researchers say pre-clinical studies have shown the treatment to have thepotential to reduce negative side effects in chemotherapy procedures. Byavoiding these side effects associated with traditional therapies, theseinterventions could increase patient comfort and result in faster recovery.
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09NY08-0059(See video from Philips (NYSE: PHG) at:http://media.medialink.com/WebNR.aspx?story=35774)
SOURCE Medialink and Philips
