Magnetic Resonance Targeting Therapy Could Transform Cancer Treatment

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have found a way to use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners to direct cell-based, tumor-killing therapies to primary and secondary cancer sites in the body.

The international research team was led by scientists at the University of Sheffield’s (Sheffield, UK) Department of Oncology and was funded by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC). The team was able to demonstrate an 800% increase in the effectiveness of cancer therapy using the new MRI-steering technique. The immune cells contained Super-Paramagnetic Iron Oxide (SPIOs) nanoparticles, and the Oncolytic Virus (OV) which infects and kills cancer cells.


The research made use of mouse models, and was published in August 2015, in the journal Nature Communications. The research was carried out in collaboration with University College London (London, UK) and University College London Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Center and the University of Florida (USA).

Dr. Munitta Muthana, University of Sheffield, said, “Our results suggest that it is possible to use a standard MRI scanner to naturally deliver cell-based therapies to both primary and secondary tumors which would normally be impossible to reach by injection. This not only increases the therapeutic efficacy but also decreases the risk of unwanted side effects. The beauty of using the MRI scanner to administer the therapy is that you can also use it for its original purpose providing a real-time image-guide to ensure the treatment has gone where it is needed”.

Related Links:
The University of Sheffield
UCL and UCL Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Center
University of Florida