Combining Magnetosomes and Ultrasound for a safer and simpler approach to solid tumor treatment
Medical device #1: Magnetosomes
A suspension of magnetosomes injected directly into the tumor
Natural Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (magnetosomes)
Magnetosomes are naturally occurring nanoparticles produced by magnetotactic bacteria. Their strong magnetic moment aligns parallel the Earth’s magnetic field, hence enabling these bacteria to to navigate in this direction.
Due to natural selection, leading to some magnetosome optimization, theses nanoparticles present a lot of advantages such as a chain arrangement preventing aggregation, ferrimagnetic properties, a good crystallinity, which can hardly be found in chemical nanoparticles.
Our objective is to render such magnetosomes safe and injectable, in particular by using growth media that are devoid of toxic compounds and by removing immunogenic organic bacterial material from the magnetosomes.
Our innovative injectable magnetosome suspension is created through a four-stage process:
Transforming natural magnetosomes for in-human treatment:
1. Cultivation
Cultivating magnetotactic bacteria to produce magnetosomes.
2. Extraction
Extracting chains of magnetosomes from magnetotactic bacteria.
3. Purification
Purifying chains of magnetosomes to isolate pyrogen-free iron oxide nano-minerals.
4. Formulation
Formulation of nano- minerals with stabilizing compounds to create injectable magnetosomes.
In medical applications, our patented magnetosomes offer numerous compelling advantages:
Naturally sourced
orinating from non-pathogenic bacteria amplified without toxic compounds.
Highly stable
Magnetosomes stored in powder form preserve their efficacy.
Non-pyrogenic
Endotoxins and other bacterial organic material is denatured to ensure magnetosome safety.
Pure in iron
Absence of other heavy metals than iron.
Efficient anti-tumor activity under mild heating conditions
Organization in chains for uniform distribution / non-aggregation.
Explore our latest magnetosomes related publications
A Method for Producing Highly Pure Magnetosomes in Large Quantity for Medical Applications Using Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense MSR-1 Magnetotactic Bacteria Amplified in Minimal Growth Media
Applications of magnetosomes synthesized by magnetotactic bacteria in medicine
Applications of magnetotactic bacteria and magnetosome for cancer treatment: A review emphasizing on practical and mechanistic aspects
Assemblies of Aligned Magnetotactic Bacteria and Extracted Magnetosomes: What Is the Main Factor Responsible for the Magnetic Anisotropy?
Bio-synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles for cancer treatment
Biocompatible and stable magnetosome minerals coated with poly-l-lysine, citric acid, oleic acid, and carboxy-methyl-dextran for application in the magnetic hyperthermia treatment of tumors
Medical device #2: Ultrasound
An ultrasound-based excitation source that heats the magnetosomes within the tumor
Endorectal Ultrasound Probe
Our advanced low-intensity ultrasonic heating module offers precise, safe, efficient, controlled treatment with several key features:
Safety of the ultrasound heating module
The safety of the probe is ensured by its operating conditions, using:
- A Low ultrasound intensity;
- Mild heating temperatures of tissues.
Safety of magnetosomes
The safety of the magnetosomes is ensured by:
- A natural production without using toxic compounds;
- A non-toxic composition;
- An administration in the tumor at a low concentration.
Temperature stabilisation
Temperature stability is achieved through a patented method that controls the parameters of ultrasound application, allowing for consistent and reliable mild heating throughout the treatment process.
Treatment efficacy
The treatment efficacy is ensured by:
- Heating of the whole tumor;
- Repeated heating until full tumor disappearance;
- Magnetosome presence enhancing the effect of heat against the tumor.
Integration of our treatment into existing protocols
The integration of our treatment into existing clinical workflows is ensured by:
- The heating module being compatible with standard commercial ultrasound transrectal imaging systems;
- Magnetosome administration being performed using a protocol adapted from that of prostate tumor biopsy.
Explore our latest ultrasound related publications
Our products are used as an Innovative Solution for intermediate risks of localised prostate Cancer
The project builds upon previously validated research findings. It includes preclinical proof of concept showing that the treatment developed by AlphaOnco resulted in the complete eradication of prostate tumors in all treated subjects.
- the heating probe can be used several times;
- the magnetosome for single injection only.
Our treatment
Our treatment for intermediate risk localized prostate cancer
Current Treatments for Prostate Cancer: Advantages and Limitations
Prostate cancer affects over 5 million men worldwide, yet current treatments involve surgery, radiation, and more recently focal therapies, often leading to high costs, complexity of uses, and long-term side effects such as impotence or incontinence.
To overcome these disadvantages, we propose developing a new treatment.
Our treatment
Our solution is based on the combination of injection of the Magnetosomes into the tumour, heating through the US Heating module and control of heating with the temperature control software.
1. Tumor detection and localisation
Realized with ultrasound after MRI.
2. Magnetosome administration
We administer the magnetosomes directly into the tumor through the perineum under transrectal ultrasound imaging.
3. Tumor heating
We heat the tumor at a mild temperature repetitively using our low-intensity ultrasound heating module.
4. Heating efficacy
Is ensured by:
- the use of moderate heating conditions;
- Heating of the whole tumor repetitively;
- the presence of magnetosomes in the tumor enhancing the effect of heat.
Our treatment can be extented to other solid or organ-confined tumors
Targeting solid and organ-confined tumors
Thermal methods
