Metal implants may cut chemotherapy side effects

Researchers at the MRC IGMM identify a new possible way of treating tumours: February 2014

Cancer patients could one day experience fewer side effects from chemotherapy following a discovery that opens the door for more targeted treatments.

Researchers from the MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine have identified a possible way of treating tumours that would see doctors place harmless metal implants at the cancer site.

The discovery could make treatment more targeted than existing therapies, avoiding unwanted side effects, such as hair loss, tiredness and nausea. These occur when chemotherapy drugs carried in the blood kill healthy cells as well as cancer cells.