Brain Bubble
A new drug-delivery device may offer new hope to patients afflicted with glioma-a type of brain tumor that is now invariably fatal. University of Kentucky neuroscientist Roy Patchell has invented a device, called Serodur, that directly administers therapeutic drugs to the tumor. Serodur consists of a silicon bubble implanted under the scalp and a tube that carries drugs from this chamber to the tumor through a flow-regulating membrane. Serodur can be refilled by injecting more medicine through the scalp into the reservoir. Such direct injection allows for a higher dosage and fewer side effects than conventional intravenous chemotherapy, says Patchell. And with its direct line into the brain, Serodur can dispense drugs that are unable to cross the so-called “blood-brain barrier “-including drugs that selectively kill dividing cancerous cells in order to destroy the tumor more effectively. Patchell expects a large-scale national trial of the device to begin next year.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
Large language models can do jaw-dropping things. But nobody knows exactly why.
And that's a problem. Figuring it out is one of the biggest scientific puzzles of our time and a crucial step towards controlling more powerful future models.
The problem with plug-in hybrids? Their drivers.
Plug-in hybrids are often sold as a transition to EVs, but new data from Europe shows we’re still underestimating the emissions they produce.
How scientists traced a mysterious covid case back to six toilets
When wastewater surveillance turns into a hunt for a single infected individual, the ethics get tricky.
Google DeepMind’s new generative model makes Super Mario–like games from scratch
Genie learns how to control games by watching hours and hours of video. It could help train next-gen robots too.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.