BSD Medical Files Patent for New 'Smart Weapon' Applicator to Trigger 'Smart Bomb' Delivery of Chemotherapy in Breast Tumors
June 15 2007 - 9:05AM
PR Newswire (US)
SALT LAKE CITY, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BSD Medical Corp.
(AMX: BSM) said today that the company has filed a patent for a new
non-invasive phased array breast treatment applicator developed to
selectively heat breast cancer tumors. This novel capability is
uniquely applicable to the 915 MHz operating frequency of the
BSD-500 hyperthermia system. The company discovered through
research that at 915 MHz the characteristics of breast tumors 4-5
centimeters in diameter (those typically treated with radiation
and/or chemotherapy) selectively absorb microwave energy, while the
microwaves largely pass through the other tissues of the breast.
The discovery of this selective heating capability could be used in
numerous ways for better delivery of hyperthermia in treating
breast cancer. However, one of the novel applications is to use
selective heating of breast tumors to release tiny heat-triggered
capsules of chemotherapy drugs as they enter breast tumors through
the blood stream, causing the capsules to burst inside the tumor,
greatly multiplying the potency of the drug delivery. In this case
the breast applicator would serve as the "targeting system" to find
and heat tumors and the heat-triggered drug capsules would become
"smart bombs" that release when heated as they enter the tumor.
Duke University is already using BSD Medical's hyperthermia
equipment to release chemotherapy drugs delivered in heat-triggered
capsules, and one of the reasons for this new applicator
development was to further support Duke's research already
underway. This method of providing chemotherapy thus far has shown
the ability to deliver 30 times more drug than would normally reach
the tumor site with non-encapsulated drug. In addition to releasing
the chemotherapy capsules, heat (hyperthermia) therapy makes the
tumor's blood vessels porous so that the capsules can pass from the
bloodstream into the tumor. Hyperthermia also increases oxygen
levels within tumors, and oxygen is critical to the proper
functioning of certain chemotherapy agents. Hyperthermia also
amplifies the level of genetic damage that chemotherapy inflicts on
cells by inhibiting enzymes that normally repair the damage. Breast
cancer tumors that reach a diameter of 4 centimeters or larger are
commonly treated by radical breast removal. An important objective
of this effort is to provide less invasive alternatives for
treatment. About BSD Medical BSD Medical Corp. is a leading
developer of systems used to deliver therapies involving
precision-focused heat for the treatment of cancer. The objective
of the company is to deliver a complete solution in thermal
treatments for cancer, as provided by precision-focused microwave
heating, to support radiation oncologists, interventional
radiologists, medical oncologists and surgeons in providing more
effective procedures and treatments. For further information visit
BSD Medical's website at http://www.bsdmedical.com/ or BSD's
patient website at http://www.treatwithheat.com/. Statements
contained in this press release that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements, including future prospects relating to
research described herein, as defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are
subject to risks and uncertainties detailed in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. DATASOURCE:
BSD Medical Corp. CONTACT: Hyrum A. Mead of BSD Medical Corp.,
+1-801-972-5555, fax, +1-801-972-5930, Web site:
http://www.bsdmedical.com/ http://www.treatwithheat.com/
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