Researchers in China are testing an experimental 3D-printed breast prosthesis that can sense and target breast cancer relapse, according to a report in Advanced Science
The prosthesis contains a gel made by linking together chemicals that respond to the presence of certain oxygen-containing molecules that are indicative of tumor activity.
In lab experiments, when such “reactive oxygen species” were present, the prostheses released RSL3, a small molecule that induces a type of programmed tumor cell death.
In experiments in mice, the researchers removed breast cancer tumors but left a small amount of cancer cells behind.
They observed “strong and long-term anti-cancer effects” in mice implanted with the experimental prostheses, compared with results observed in a control group.
