# Convection-Enhanced Thermo-chemotherapy Catheter System (CETCS)

> **NIH NIH P01** · WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2020 · $82,886

## Abstract

Convection-enhanced delivery (CED), a modality in which a stereotactic-guided small-caliber catheter is
inserted through the skull and dura, has promisingly improved drug delivery permitting local infusion of
therapeutic drugs directly into the brain parenchyma and effectively circumventing the blood-brain barrier
(BBB). We conceived the idea of a Convection-Enhanced Thermo-chemotherapy Catheter System (CETCS),
which will deliver therapies broadly to the primary tumor site, like glioblastoma (GBM) and tumor infiltrative
cells (extending ~2 cm) with high coverage volume, thereby diminishing the likelihood of recurrence. We have
invented a novel CETCS consisting of a catheter housing 7 arborizing fiber optic micro-needles that allows
simultaneous, localized delivery of laser energy and therapy with soluble agents to targeted tissue. The micro-
needles are made of optically transparent hollow glass (~300 m in diameter), which can be individually guided
by a neurosurgeon with a remote control system into the target position in the brain and visualized with MRI.
We hypothesize that the arborizing catheter with additional photothermal activation will provide more broad
volumetric distribution of infusates in brain tissue compared to a currently used reflux-preventing catheter. In
this Project 2 of our P01 proposal, we will address three Specific Aims. In Aim 1, we will optimize and evaluate
an arborizing catheter using co-localized, simultaneous photothermal activation for broad distribution of
infusates in brain tissue (phantoms and explanted tissue). We will demonstrate significant increase in breadth
of infusate dispersion in arborizing catheters with photothermal activation (> 7- fold) compared to a commercial
catheter. In Aim 2, we will Integrate and evaluate a remote control system, CETCS, to enable catheter
positioning and microneedle arborization, and control of light dosage and drug perfusion based on feedback
from real-time MRI. We aim to demonstrate the integrated system (CETCS) can achieve greater infusion
coverage of target volume with drug (> 20% tumor + 2 cm tumor margin coverage), compared to the coverage
achieved with a fixed catheter. In Aim 3, we will evaluate drug distribution and efficacy by CETCS for treating
spontaneous canine GBMs. We aim to show CETCS can broadly saturate tumor and margins (> 20%
coverage) with QUAD-CTX+Gd-alb (a drug conjugate generated in Project 1) in canines with spontaneous
GBM. Secondly, we aim to demonstrate tumor regression (> 50% decrease in sum product diameters) and
improved Karnofsky Performance Scale scores (compared to base-line) in these patients. This novel approach
to loco-regional delivery of treatment to brain tumors using CETCS will be tested using two types of innovative
molecularly targeted anti-cancer agents generated in Project 1 of our P01. Moreover, it will be used to deliver
engineered stem cells generated in Project 4 in order to permeabilize the BBB. We envision that our CETCS
will...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9978743
- **Project number:** 5P01CA207206-04
- **Recipient organization:** WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Christopher G Rylander
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $82,886
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9978743

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9978743, Convection-Enhanced Thermo-chemotherapy Catheter System (CETCS) (5P01CA207206-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9978743. Licensed CC0.

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