Revolutionary Injectable Paste Could Transform Bone Cancer Treatment Within a Decade
A new injectable paste designed to treat bone cancer is being developed through a partnership between the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) and Aston University. The innovative treatment uses gallium-enhanced bioactive glasses to target tumours while promoting bone healing. Early lab results show it can destroy nearly all cancer cells in tests.
The paste works by combining two key properties: the bone-regenerating effects of bioactive glasses and the cancer-killing power of gallium ions. Unlike traditional treatments—such as surgery or chemotherapy, which often cause severe side effects—this approach delivers targeted therapy directly into tumour sites via injection. Lab tests reveal it destroys around 99% of cancer cells while leaving healthy bone-forming cells intact.
The collaboration between ROH and Aston University focuses on refining the paste's formula for maximum safety and effectiveness. Their goal is to balance its cancer-fighting strength with biocompatibility, ensuring it works well inside the body. The project is backed by the SPARK THE MIDLANDS programme, which provides expert support to speed up clinical testing.
If successful, the treatment could transform bone cancer care. However, full approval is still years away. The next steps include preclinical safety tests, regulatory submissions, and human trials—likely starting in two to three years. The entire process, from lab research to potential approval by agencies like the EMA or FDA, may take five to ten years.
The SPARK THE MIDLANDS programme has a strong track record, with a 62% success rate for projects it supports. This far exceeds the usual translational success rate of under 5% in medical research.
The gallium-doped bioactive glass paste offers a promising alternative to current bone cancer treatments. Its ability to kill cancer cells while encouraging bone repair could reduce the need for invasive surgery or harsh chemotherapy. Researchers will now work toward clinical trials, aiming to bring the therapy to patients within the next decade.
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