New Implant Provides Sustained Localized Therapy for Ovarian Cancer

Standard care relies on surgery and systemic therapy, yet tools for targeted intraperitoneal delivery and early detection of recurrence remain limited. These gaps hinder durable disease control and expose patients to repeated invasive procedures. To help address this challenge, researchers have developed an implant that delivers therapy directly within the peritoneal cavity while enabling on-treatment monitoring of tumor response.

The replenishable peritoneal implant was created by CÚRAM, the Research Ireland Centre for Medical Devices at the University of Galway, working with the University of Minnesota, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Wyss Institute. The device is designed to be placed inside the peritoneal cavity, where ovarian cancer most commonly spreads. It aims to support sustained, localized treatment while minimizing the procedural burden on patients.

The implant is made from a flexible biomaterial that conforms to internal anatomical contours. A porous membrane allows therapeutic agents to diffuse gently and evenly into surrounding tissues, while an external transcutaneous port enables clinicians to replenish the device without additional surgery. This design supports repeated delivery of living cell therapies as well as other cell- and non-cell-based treatments.

The system also functions as a sampling platform. Gentle suction through the same port can collect peritoneal fluid during treatment without requiring a separate procedure. This two-way capability could allow clinicians to monitor immune-cell activity and tumor response in real time, helping guide ongoing therapeutic decisions.

In preclinical studies, the implant remained functional for up to 70 days without implant-related complications and achieved significantly better tumor control over time than conventional treatments. The findings were published in Device. The researchers propose placing the device during initial surgery to remove as much tumor tissue as possible, allowing it to target residual disease during the following weeks and months.

The platform’s adaptable design may also support treatment of other peritoneal malignancies, including gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. The researchers envision long-term implantation for localized recurrence monitoring and early retreatment when necessary. Additional studies are planned before the technology advances to clinical trials.

“One of the most frustrating aspects of treating ovarian cancer is that we know localized delivery of therapy works better, but the tools we've had until now weren't built for the job. We designed this implant with ovarian cancer patients in mind. We wanted an implant that can deliver living cell therapies repeatedly, reliably and with real precision to the tumor site,” said Dr. Aoibhín Sheedy, a Ph.D. graduate with CÚRAM at the University of Galway and lead researcher on the project.

“This work represents a shift in how we think about treating ovarian cancer, bringing therapy directly to the disease site while simultaneously learning from the tumor microenvironment in real time, which provides important insights to guide precision care,” said Professor Melissa Gellar, professor of gynecologic oncology and associate director of clinical research at the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota and co-lead on the research.

Related Links
CÚRAM at the University of Galway
University of Minnesota