Featured Project – THOR – CARE: Center for Advancing Responsible Computing

THOR: Targeted Hybrid Oncotherapeutic Regulation

“This work will be a pillar in this Administration’s ambitious and important goal to cut the cancer death rate in half in 25 years” – Xavier Becerra, the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.

A prototype of an implant device to treat ovarian, pancreatic, and other difficult-to-treat cancers. Image Source: Brandon Martin/Rice University

Background

A figure illustrating how a “closed-loop” implant called HAMMR (short for “hybrid advanced molecular manufacturing regulator”) will be used to treat recurrent ovarian cancer. Image Source: Veiseh Lab/Rice University

Ovarian Cancer in the United States: In 2024, over 19,000 women in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, with over 8,000 lives potentially saved by an effective treatment. However, this cancer, like many solid tumors, resists current immunotherapies.

A Revolutionary Approach – THOR: Targeted Hybrid Oncotherapeutic Regulation (THOR) represents a breakthrough in ovarian cancer treatments, combining technological and medical innovations to create a compact device that triggers the immune system against tumors.

THOR Device Functionality: Implanted near the tumor, the device houses specialized cells that produce and deliver therapeutic molecules, activating the immune system locally and systemically. Advanced sensors within the device monitor cancer biomarkers, allowing for precise, patient-specific treatment.

Why CARE

The THOR project represents a convergence of technological innovation and ethical responsibility, embodying the principles at the heart of CARE’s mission. At CARE, we are committed to driving forward computing solutions that are not only cutting-edge but also socially responsible, trustworthy, and sustainable. Trustworthiness is ensured by rigorous data-driven approaches for sensor accuracy and therapy control, while sustainability is achieved through efficient power management and long-lasting implant design. This project exemplifies CARE’s commitment to developing socially responsible solutions that address critical healthcare challenges.

Our Focus

Hardware Platforms

Cell Regulator: In the THOR project, bio-engineered cells produce therapeutic molecules for cancer treatment, requiring oxygen to function. We are creating a hardware platform to generate oxygen in vivo and designing stimulators to control the timing and dosage of molecule production.

Sensor Readout Circuit: THOR aims to deliver cancer treatment in real-time, only when needed. We are using biosensors to detect cancer biomarkers and developing a platform to process this data for precise treatment delivery.

Wireless Communication and Power Transfer: To power and communicate with our systems, we are developing wireless technologies that ensure efficient energy transfer and data communication within the body.

Sensing Informatics and Control

Signal Compensation: The human body’s complex environment can cause sensor degradation over time, making accurate data collection challenging. To address this, we are developing machine-learning-assisted methods for signal compensation, ensuring precise sensing for accurate dosing.

Therapy Delivery Control: To optimize the dosage for cancer treatment, we are creating advanced machine-learning models that predict the exact dosage needed for effective therapy delivery.