Injectable Passive RFID Biosensors for Ambulatory Monitoring of Tumour pH in Cancer Therapeutic Development

DEL PhD Studentship 2013/14

Injectable Passive RFID Biosensors for Ambulatory Monitoring of Tumour pH in Cancer Therapeutic Development

Principal Supervisor: Professor William G. Scanlon

Project Description:

One of the major challenges in cancer therapeutic development is the identification of drug efficacy and optimal dosage early in the clinical trials process. Traditionally Phase I studies have identified optimal drug dosage by escalation to maximum tolerated levels. With the event of less toxic, more targeted drug therapies this approach no longer works and optimal drug dosage needs to be defined on a biological basis. These pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarkers are measurements which reflect the biological effect rather than toxic effects of a specific drug.

Many Phase I studies now involve repeated tumour biopsies in order to measure these PD biomarkers. Unfortunately these procedures can be uncomfortable or potentially dangerous to patients. They also can be expensive as they may involve surgical procedures such as endoscopy or ultrasound guided core biopsies. From animal based studies, pH levels are known to fall in human tumours early in the response to therapy. Monitoring this change in pH by implanted biosensors has the potential to be used as a pharmacodynamic biomarker in clinical trials. This should prevent the need for repeated tumour biopsies following drug administration. It will also give a real time measure of the kinetics of drug response which could be informative for optimal scheduling and formulation.

The aim of this project is to investigate the wireless powering, connectivity and miniaturisation of novel injectable pH biosensors to directly address the clinical need outlined above. This will bring many challenges, particularly given the mm-scale size constraints and complicated bioelectromagnetic environment of the human body. One of the most important advantages of the proposed approach is that such sensors can provide continuous, real-time data which could inform dose escalation or fast discontinuation of study depending on the response measurement.

The project will utilise a combination of novel bioelectromagnetic modelling, RF link and circuit design and experimental study using a tissue-equivalent phantom inclusive of tumour-type materials. This project is part of the Queen's University Connected Health initiative and will be undertaken in conjunction with the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology (CCRCB) at Queen's.

Objectives:

To investigate the bioelectromagnetic characteristics of tumour tissues
To adapt existing passive RFID technologies to match the application demands, as established through dialogue with clinicians and researchers in cancer therapeutic development
To develop link and energy budgets for selected test cases
To perform electromagnetic, protocol and energy consumption modelling for single sensor case
To source and integrate a low energy pH sensing technology into the RFID tag
To develop laboratory based experiments using tissue stimulant materials
To assess the usability of the solution and to establish a suitable strategy for clinical proof of concept development

Academic Requirements:

A minimum 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in Electrical and Electronic Engineering or relevant degree is required.

General Information

This 3 year PhD studentship, funded by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), commences on 1 October 2013, covers approved tuition fees and a maintenance grant (unknown for 2013/14) is approximately £13,000 - £14,000.

Applicants should apply electronically through the Queen's online application portal at: https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/

Further information available at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/eeecs/PhD/PostgraduateResearchScholarships/

Contact details:

Supervisor Name:	Professor W. G. Scanlon
Address:	ECIT Institute, Queens Road, Belfast, BT3 9DT
Email:	w.scanlon@qub.ac.uk
Tel:	+44 28(0) 9097 1877
Web:	www.ee.qub.ac.uk/wireless/