高科技“纳米刀”疗法或可有效摧毁肾脏肿瘤

近日，来自英国利兹大学的研究人员运用一种新型的高科技纳米刀技术，通过利用脉冲高电压电流就可以有效摧毁癌细胞；此前该技术在英国曾被用于治疗肝脏和胰腺癌症，但本文研究中研究者首次利用这种高科技纳米刀来摧毁肾脏肿瘤。

肿瘤学家Tze Wah教授表示，这种高科技纳米刀技术仅在2小时之内就可以完成治疗，并且患者在医院过夜后即日即可回家。

这种技术需要一种特殊的“纳米刀”针状结构，以一种合适地距离来被准确插入到肿瘤中，在整个操作期间利用CT草庙来检查针状结构是否处于肿瘤的准确位置，从而确保肿瘤附近的正常不会受到损伤。一旦这种“纳米刀”针状结构处于正确位置，电脉冲就会对肿瘤中的纳米刀进行冲击作用，从而破坏肿瘤细胞。

研究者指出，由于常见的利用热量或冷却的疗法摧毁肿瘤变得不再合适，同时由于肾脏肿瘤的位置使得常见疗法并不能有效摧毁癌细胞，所以本文中基于纳米刀结构为基础的疗法或许就为有效摧毁肾脏肿瘤细胞提供了一定的基础和希望。

研究者指出，目前的研究结果非常可喜，后期他们将会利用这种高科技纳米刀技术来用于其它疾病的治疗中，从而为改善人类健康及生活质量带来帮助。

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A pioneering procedure has been carried out in by a University of Leeds specialist using a hi-tech 'nanoknife' technology to destroy cancer cells using pulses of high voltage electrical current.

The technique has been used in the UK previously to treat liver and pancreatic cancer, but this was the first such procedure on a kidney tumour, and also the first time the nanoknife technology has been used in Leeds.

Consultant interventional radiologist specialising in interventional oncology, Dr Tze Wah, of the School of Medicine, led the team which undertook the procedure on 59-year-old Alan Speight, from Dewsbury. The treatment took less than two hours and after a night in hospital Mr Speight was able to return home.

A UK first, the technique requires special 'nanoknife' needles to be inserted with pinpoint accuracy into the tumour at an optimum distance apart. CT scanning is used during the procedure to check the needles are in the right place and ensure that nearby delicate organs are not damaged.

Once the needles are in position, pulses of electricity punch 'nanoholes' in the tumour to destroy its cells in a procedure that takes about an hour.

Dr Wah commented: "With the type of tumour Alan had the options for conventional treatment using heat or ice based energy was unsuitable and may destroy the kidney due to its location. The availability of this new nanoknife or IRE technology have revolutionised the way we can offer treatment to the tumour and prolong the life of his kidney.

"The procedure went to plan and if anything took less time than I expected considering this is the first time I have used this technique. Alan recovered well as was able to go home the next day and there is every indication the procedure has been successful, but we will be reviewing him closely.

"I am very pleased that we are now able to use this nanoknife technology to add to the range of treatment options available here in the Leeds Cancer Centre at St James's University Hospital for these types of tumours.