Researchers at the University of Galway have developed a flexible, porous implant designed to sit inside the peritoneal cavity and deliver targeted cell therapies directly to ovarian cancer sites. The disease kills approximately 300 women annually in Ireland, where about 400 new diagnoses occur each year.
The device is built from a flexible biomaterial that conforms to internal body contours. It connects to an external port through the skin, allowing clinicians to replenish therapeutic agents repeatedly without requiring additional surgery. The project was carried out by CÚRAM, the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices at the University of Galway, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the Wyss Institute.
“One of the most frustrating aspects of treating ovarian cancer is that we know localised delivery of therapy works better, but the tools we’ve had until now weren’t built for the job,” said Dr Aoibhín Sheedy, a CÚRAM PhD graduate and lead researcher. She noted the team wanted an implant capable of delivering living cell therapies reliably and precisely to the tumour site.
Two-Way Monitoring and Preclinical Results
Beyond delivering treatments, the implant features a two-way monitoring capability. By applying gentle suction through the external port, clinicians can draw fluid samples from the peritoneal cavity during treatment without an extra procedure. Dr Eimear Dolan, associate professor in biomedical engineering at the University of Galway, stated that this real-time intelligence allows doctors to track immune cell performance and tumour response to adapt treatment accordingly.
In preclinical studies, the implant remained functional for up to 70 days without complications and showed greater tumour control over time compared to conventional treatments. Dr Martin Felices, associate professor in medicine at the University of Minnesota, noted that the system allows for safer repeated delivery and real-time sampling of the tumour microenvironment. Researchers envision placing the implant during initial debulking surgery to address residual disease, with the ultimate goal of long-term placement for monitoring recurrence.
Survivor urges women to advocate for health
While engineers work on advanced delivery devices, diagnosing the disease in its early stages remains a major challenge. Ovarian cancer survivor Megan Dach, diagnosed at age 34 after experiencing back pain and abnormal bleeding, urged women to advocate for their health. Rockford News First reported that Dach pushed for testing across multiple doctor visits before an ultrasound revealed a 20-centimeter mass on her right ovary, which was later diagnosed as stage one ovarian cancer alongside endometrial cancer.
Dr Kristen Stearns, a gynecologic oncologist with UW Health who treated Dach, explained that ovarian cancer symptoms such as bloating, pelvic pain, and feeling full quickly are often non-specific. Stearns recommended discussing symptoms that persist outside the norm for up to a month with a physician. Testing subsequently revealed that Dach has Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition that increases the risk of multiple cancers and contributed to her diagnoses, according to Rockford News First.
Common Questions About Ovarian Cancer Detection and Treatment
What are the common early symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Symptoms include pelvic pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, feeling full quickly, and changes in bowel or urinary habits. Because these signs are non-specific, they are frequently overlooked or attributed to other conditions.
Why is localized drug delivery difficult for peritoneal cancers?
Traditional delivery materials are not designed for repeated administration inside the peritoneal cavity without causing complications. The University of Galway implant addresses this by connecting to a subcutaneous port for safe, repeated access.
Are there standard screening tests for ovarian cancer?
There is currently no routine screening test for ovarian cancer comparable to a mammogram for breast cancer. Physicians advise patients to monitor persistent bodily changes and discuss risk factors with a specialist.
What causes Lynch syndrome in patients diagnosed with ovarian and endometrial cancers?
Lynch syndrome is a hereditary genetic condition that increases an individual’s risk of developing several types of cancer, including colorectal, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.
“If you have any idea that you feel like maybe something is wrong to advocate for yourself to get them to do more,” said Dach.
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