The treatment of osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer, presents doctors with considerable challenges. The procedure is particularly complex in young patients, as conventional implants made of metal or other stable materials can impair bone growth. If a limb is secured by a rigid implant, there is a risk of asymmetrical development, with one arm or leg remaining shorter.
Anamika Prasad, a materials scientist and civil engineer, is working on an innovative solution that is specifically tailored to the needs of children. She is developing 3D-printed implants in the form of scaffold structures, known as scaffolds. These structures, made from FDA-approved materials, provide a temporary support on which bone cells can colonize and form new tissue. The implants thus promote natural bone growth instead of inhibiting it.
For her research, Prasad is working closely with Dr. Juan Prettel, director of musculoskeletal oncology surgery at Baptist Health. The project is supported by the Casey DeSantis Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, which is funded through the Florida Department of Health. This grant will allow the team to develop patient-specific solutions. By utilizing imaging data, they create computerized designs that are tailored to the exact anatomical features of each patient.
The combination of 3D printing technology with individualized approaches could revolutionize the treatment of osteosarcoma in children. By making the implants customizable and biocompatible, they open up new perspectives for therapy. The research team is working on making this method not only efficient but also cost-effective in order to ensure widespread availability. In the long term, the results could bring about a decisive improvement in the treatment of this challenging disease.
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