Grant: Idea to Innovation
Toronto Metropolitan University
$20,000.00
L2M NSERC - Novel Glass Polyalkenoate Cement for the Treatment of Metastatic Bone Cancer.
FY 2022-23
Summary
Cancer cells can metastasize in the skeleton, with incidence depending on the location of the primary tumour: 65-75% breast; 65-75% prostate and 30-40% lung. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases in 2020, of which lung (11.6%), breast (11.6%), and prostate (7.3%) were among the top four most common cancers, suggesting that majority of patients suffering from advanced cancers are at high risk of developing metastatic bone cancer.Metastatic bone cancers interfere with the bone remodelling process, often resulting in increased bone resorption; this causes these already morbid patients to experience severe pain and the threat of suffering from skeletal-related events (SREs), which are an array of complications which increase mortality; the most concerning being a pathological fracture. Moreover, their associated healthcare costs are considerable, with a mean additional cost of 67,257USD/year compared to patients who do not encounter SREs, attributed to an increased number of ER and physician visits, longer hospital stays, number of medications filled, etc. Therefore, mitigating the development of SREs is critical for the care of metastatic bone cancer patients, which is achieved by reducing bone resorption and treating the underlying malignancy.Glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) are employed in both dentistry and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries. They set by an acid-base reaction between an ionomeric bioactive glass and aqueous polyacrylic acid. Furthermore, the glass phase can be tailored to release an array of ions that possess specific properties. For instance, in its ionic form, gallium (Ga) has demonstrated antitumour effects and the ability to retard bone resorption. Our research group has re-engineered dental GPCs specifically for wrist fracture fixation based on a novel, patented (US 10/815,144) bioactive glass. Modification of this glass had yielded a GPC with the ability to supply a localized dosage of Ga and the potential to suppress cancer activity, provide structural support, improve patients' outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.
Program
Idea to Innovation
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
576619-2022
Name nom
Towler, Mark MR
Department département
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Organization id
43
Institution établissement
Toronto Metropolitan University
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2022
Competition year année de concours
2022
Award amount
20000
Program id
I2IPJ
Program name en
Idea to Innovation
Program name fr
De l'idée à l'innovation
Group en
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Group fr
PARTENARIATS DE RECHERCHE
Committee code
96
Committee name en
RPP Internal Decision Cttee
Committee name fr
Cté de décision interne - PPR
Area of application code
1211
Area of application group en
Advancement of knowledge
Area of application group fr
Avancement des connaissances
Area of application en
Medical and health sciences
Area of application fr
Sciences médicales et de la santé
Research subject code
2006
Research subject group en
Materials science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Research subject en
Biomaterials
Research subject fr
Biomatériaux
Installment
inst:1
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
L2M NSERC - Novel Glass Polyalkenoate Cement for the Treatment of Metastatic Bone Cancer.
Application summary
Cancer cells can metastasize in the skeleton, with incidence depending on the location of the primary tumour: 65-75% breast; 65-75% prostate and 30-40% lung. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated 19.3 million new cancer cases in 2020, of which lung (11.6%), breast (11.6%), and prostate (7.3%) were among the top four most common cancers, suggesting that majority of patients suffering from advanced cancers are at high risk of developing metastatic bone cancer.Metastatic bone cancers interfere with the bone remodelling process, often resulting in increased bone resorption; this causes these already morbid patients to experience severe pain and the threat of suffering from skeletal-related events (SREs), which are an array of complications which increase mortality; the most concerning being a pathological fracture. Moreover, their associated healthcare costs are considerable, with a mean additional cost of 67,257USD/year compared to patients who do not encounter SREs, attributed to an increased number of ER and physician visits, longer hospital stays, number of medications filled, etc. Therefore, mitigating the development of SREs is critical for the care of metastatic bone cancer patients, which is achieved by reducing bone resorption and treating the underlying malignancy.Glass polyalkenoate cements (GPCs) are employed in both dentistry and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries. They set by an acid-base reaction between an ionomeric bioactive glass and aqueous polyacrylic acid. Furthermore, the glass phase can be tailored to release an array of ions that possess specific properties. For instance, in its ionic form, gallium (Ga) has demonstrated antitumour effects and the ability to retard bone resorption. Our research group has re-engineered dental GPCs specifically for wrist fracture fixation based on a novel, patented (US 10/815,144) bioactive glass. Modification of this glass had yielded a GPC with the ability to supply a localized dosage of Ga and the potential to suppress cancer activity, provide structural support, improve patients' outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.
