Researching the cures

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Dr Patrick Forde

Dr Forde is evaluating the potential for short electric pulses to increase the uptake of chemotherapy drugs by pancreatic cancer cells.

Project Title: Harnessing the immune system to target
primary and secondary pancreatic cancer.

Project Aims: Dr Forde’s project will evaluate whether short intense electric pulses – known to temporarily make tissue more porous – will increase the uptake of chemotherapy drugs if directed into pancreatic tumours. Dr Forde also hopes that the signals generated from dying cancer cells will stimulate the body’s anti-cancer immune response, as has been seen in tests on mice.
If positive results are seen with pancreatic tumours, the team will develop the treatment further through the use of a minimally invasive ‘keyhole’ medical device developed at the Research Centre.