Halifax Company Reports Breakthrough in Cancer Therapy Study

A Halifax-based life sciences company, Sona Nanotech, has announced promising findings from a study on a new cancer therapy. The research focused on patients with metastatic melanoma who were unresponsive to conventional immunotherapy treatments. The approach, known as targeted hyperthermia therapy (THT), utilizes gold nanoparticles to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.

Dr. Carman Giacomantonio, a researcher and surgical oncologist, elaborated on the technology, stating, “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, enabling the nanorods to convert the light into heat, which changes the core of the tumour, making it more visible to the immune system.”

According to Dr. Giacomantonio, the core of a tumour acts as a formidable barrier that hinders effective treatment. By applying heat, THT alters the tumour’s microenvironment, promoting stress within cancer cells and potentially leading to their demise. Results from the study indicated that eight out of ten patients experienced measurable tumour responses within two weeks of treatment, with six achieving complete tumour elimination.

Future Developments and Broader Applications

Dr. Giacomantonio noted that the study is set to continue in spring 2024, aiming for a more in-depth analysis of treatment responses, particularly in cases where the therapy does not succeed. He expressed optimism about extending the therapy’s application beyond melanoma to include other cancers such as colon, rectal, head and neck, bladder, and prostate cancers.

While the findings are encouraging, Dr. Giacomantonio emphasized that proving the therapy’s efficacy compared to existing treatments is critical. “It’s a three-to-five-year process before we have a single cancer that we can actually get an indication for,” he remarked.

The excitement surrounding these developments is palpable, yet the timeline for patients to benefit from this therapy remains uncertain. As research progresses, Sona Nanotech aims to pave the way for innovative cancer treatments that could significantly improve patient outcomes.

For those interested in a comprehensive overview of Sona Nanotech’s study, a full webinar is accessible on the company’s YouTube page.