Deep Tissue Tumors and Magnet-Directed Chemotherapy: Modeling Blood Flow through Tumors

Abstract

The method of magnet directed drug delivery of chemotherapy drugs on magnetic nanoparticles is a new form of cancer treatment designed to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy and decrease side effects. Prior research has shown that by using one magnet, an inoperable tumor just below the skin can be treated. The next step is to combine multiple electromagnets to dynamically focus the ferrofluid to a target location. In future experiments, three different types of phantoms will be developed to test the proposed drug delivery system so that it can ultimately be used to treat human subjects. In this report, various methods of monitoring blood flow and collecting images are explored in order to assist in future design and anticipate any possible problems between the transfer from treatment of the phantoms to the human subjects.