Study Uses 3D Printing in Aim to Further Treatment of Specific Cancers

Stratasys announces a new clinical study is being conducted with the New York University (NYU) School of Medicine that is aimed at advancing diagnosis and treatment of complex kidney and prostate tumors through imaging and 3D printing. These patient-specific 3D models of organs and their associated pathologies may enable surgeons and researchers to conduct more accurate preoperative assessment and interoperative guidance, potentially improving surgical outcomes.

The two-year clinical trial is led by Nicole Wake, a predoctoral researcher at the Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences at NYU School of Medicine. The study is specifically targeted at analyzing how patient-specific multicolored physical tumor models, printed on the Stratasys J750 3D Printer, can potentially change and improve the quality of patient care.

NYU School of Medicine leverages the Stratasys J750 to build multi-colored, 3D printed kidney cancer models. Image courtesy of Business Wire.

Under the randomized, controlled study, Wake and her research team are 3D printing kidney and prostate cancer models for a sample of the participating 300 patients, measuring the specific impact each has on presurgical planning versus traditional 2D visualization approaches. Subjects are separated into three treatment categories to analyze and compare conventional pre-operative 2D imaging, augmented reality models, and next-generation 3D printed models.

“3D printing holds a lot of potential in assisting with surgical planning, and as surgeons, we are always looking at ways to improve outcomes for our patients,” says study co-author William C. Huang, MD, associate professor of urology at NYU School of Medicine. “We are pleased to be leading a study examining how 3D-printed models may improve the surgical planning process and ultimately impact patient care.”

With its ability to produce parts in over 360,000 colors, textures, gradients and transparencies, the Stratasys J750 3D Printer delivers medical models with characteristics that replicate the look, feel and function of organic structures. Built directly from patient scans, these models match a wide array of medical properties – from soft tissue to hard bone.

Moving forward, the clinical study is expected to continue into 2018. During the next phase of the project, researchers will begin to explore quantitative patient outcomes.

For more info, visit Stratasys.

Sources: Press materials received from the company.