Sona Nanotech Inc (CSE:SONA, OTCQB:SNANF) has taken a significant step forward with its experimental cancer treatment, Targeted Hyperthermia Therapy (THT).
The results of its preclinical studies on breast cancer and melanoma have been published in Frontiers in Immunology, a leading peer-reviewed journal.
These findings highlight how Sona’s technology triggers powerful immune responses in tumors that do not typically respond to modern immunotherapies.
Targeted delivery
The therapy uses tiny particles made of gold, known as nanorods, to deliver targeted heat directly to cancerous growth.
Once injected, these nanorods are activated by a safe beam of infrared light, causing them to release heat.
This heat is carefully controlled to stay within a range that destroys cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.
In addition to killing cancer cells, the heat triggers a reaction in the immune system, encouraging it to attack the tumour more aggressively.
Cold tumors activated
This is particularly valuable for “cold” tumours — those that are invisible to the immune system and resistant to existing therapies.
The published study, titled “Targeted Intra-tumoral Hyperthermia with Uniquely Biocompatible Gold Nanorods Induces a Strong Immunogenic Cell Death in Two Immunogenically ‘Cold’ Tumors”, confirms that Sona’s THT not only eliminates cancer cells but also transforms these cold tumours into “hot” ones, making them more likely to respond to other treatments.
Sona’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Carman Giacomantonio, noted the importance of the findings.
He said: “In our studies, we’ve shown in industry-standard, preclinical cancer models that Sona’s therapy can eliminate cancers by converting them from ‘cold,’ immune-unresponsive tumors into ‘hot’ immunogenic tumors."
Clinical trials
He added that the data support the company’s plans to begin clinical trials.
Sona’s gold nanorods are designed to be biocompatible, meaning they can be used safely in medical treatments without causing toxic side effects.
Unlike some existing treatments that affect the whole body, this therapy targets tumors precisely, reducing the risk of damage to healthy cells.
David Regan, Sona’s Chief Executive, said the peer-reviewed publication strengthens the company’s position as it works toward human trials.
“This peer-reviewed publication of successful treatment using Sona’s THT in melanoma and breast cancers provides the credibility necessary to help make that happen,” he said.