A new approach in the battle against cancer
We have set up this area of our website specifically for you as the patient so that you can find answers to frequently asked questions about NanoTherm® therapy. Our goal is to briefly, but in detail, explain how treatment with NanoTherm® therapy works and how you can be admitted into our ongoing studies.
How does NanoTherm® therapy work?
NanoTherm® therapy is a new approach for the local treatment of solid tumors. The principle of the method is the direct introduction of magnetic nanoparticles into a tumor and their subsequent heating in an alternating magnetic field. The water soluble nanoparticles are extremely small (approximately 15 nanometers in diameter), and contain an iron oxide core with an aminosaline coating. The particles are activated by a magnetic field that changes its polarity 100,000 times per second, and heat is produced.
Depending on the duration of treatment and the achieved intratumoral temperatures, the tumor cells are either directly destroyed (thermal ablation) or sensitized for concomitant chemo or radiotherapy (hyperthermia).
With this new procedure, it is possible to combat the tumor from the inside out, thereby sparing surrounding health tissue. The nanoparticles remain in place at the treatment area, allowing for repeated treatments and the integration of multimodal therapy concepts
Which tumor types are treated in the clinical studies?
Currently, we are treating patients with prostate carcinoma and pancreas carcinoma.
What costs are incurred when participating in a study?
Patients do not incur costs by participating in a study.
Where does the treatment take place?
The introduction of the nanoparticles for prostate carcinoma takes place at the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité-Mitte, and in Berlin Urban Krankenhaus for prostate carcinoma. The treatment with the magnetic field applicator (NanoActivatorTM) takes place at the Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, in the Department of Radiotherapy.
What criteria must be fulfilled for study participation?
Each study has its own very narrow inclusion and exclusion criteria. These can be found on our website under each individual study description (see: Study Overview). If you have further questions, our study coordinator Dr. Burghard Thiesen would be happy to advise you and provide help. However, the decision to participate in the clinical studies should always be discussed with your treating physician.
