Cancer Treatment Centers of America First in U.S. to Test Novel Nanotherapy for the Treatment of Lung Cancer

CTCA and Nanospectra Biosciences Announce Investigational Study of Using Nanoparticles to Kill Cancer Tumors from the Inside Out

PHILADELPHIA, PENN. (November 5, 2012) – Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA®) has announced that it will be the first center in the U.S. to conduct a clinical trial using advanced “nanotherapy” developed by Houston, Texas-based Nanospectra Biosciences, Inc. for the investigational treatment of primary and metastatic cancerous tumors in the lung. The pilot study, approved by the FDA and the CTCA Institutional Review Board, will allow cancer specialists at CTCA to use AuroLase Therapy, a new concept in the treatment of solid tumors that uses a system of near-infrared energy from a laser to heat up nanoparticles that are delivered to the tumor via the blood stream.  The nanoparticles, called AuroShells, are absorbed by the tumor and not healthy tissue. The particles are engineered to convert infrared light into heat, thermally destroying the tumor while sparing any damage to healthy tissue. 

 This clinical trial for the treatment of advanced lung tumors resulting from either primary lung cancer or metastatic tumors in the lung follows Nanospectra Bioscience’s ongoing human clinical trials in metastatic head and neck tumors and prostate cancer with the same therapy.  Nanospectra, founded in 2002, has the exclusive license from Rice University to 11 issued U.S. patents related to nanoshells and nanoparticles. The trial will be conducted by Dr. Mark Lund and his colleagues in the Interventional Pulmonology department at CTCA.

 “The use of heat to destroy malignant tumors is not new to cancer care, but this technology holds the promise of offering new and exciting treatment options for tumor destruction with minimal collateral damage to adjacent tissue and structures,” said Dr. Mark Lund, Director of Interventional Pulmonology, Bronchoscopy & ICU and the Advanced Center for Lung and Thoracic Oncology at CTCA in Philadelphia. “We are excited about participating in this clinical trial and contributing our experiences and treatment results to others to determine the long-term viability of the treatment.”

 The AuroLase Therapy process involves infusing a single dose of nanoshell particles into the patient’s blood stream via intravenous injection.  After 12 to 24 hours, enough time for the particles to accumulate inside the tumor, a special laser is used to illuminate and heat the particles within the tumor. The therapy is also being studied to be used as an adjunct treatment with radiation and chemotherapy since it only affects the tumor and has few side effects.

 “Cancer Treatment Centers of America is a leading cancer care organization that is committed to improving access to investigational cancer therapies for its patients,” said John Stroh, president and CEO, Nanospectra Biosciences.  “We look forward to partnering with CTCA in order to bring our cutting edge NanoMedicine technology to more patients suffering from cancer.”