New FDA-Approved Oral Stent From Kallisio Could Change the Way We Treat Cancer

Increasing research has been done in recent years on the ways that 3D printing can be used in the battle against cancer. Though much of this has understandably focused on things like bioprinting, including for the creation of prostheses and even for creating tumors to better study cancer, treatment using additive manufacturing is not just limited to that. For example, US-based Kallisio has turned to 3D printing to create an oral stent that will help in the treatment of head and neck cancers by reducing side effects from radiation therapy. Not only that, but it has officially received FDA clearance, showing it is safe and effective to use.

Radiation therapy, or radiotherapy as it is sometimes called, is a treatment in which high doses of radiation are used to kill cancer cells directly and thus shrink tumors. And though it may be less discussed than chemotherapy, it is widely used, with the WHO estimating in 2021 that more than 50% of cancer patients require radiotherapy as part of cancer care including for the most common, breast, cervical, colorectal and lung. However, that does not mean it does not come with side effects.

An image showing the impact that radiation has on organs in the mouth during treatment for head and neck cancers (image credits: Kallisio)

As anyone who has heard about Marie and Pierre Curie would know, radiation is dangerous. It is for that reason that even X-rays are closely monitored and people regularly working with the equipment needs sufficient safety gear. And as you can imagine, it does not distinguish between health and “diseased” cells like cancer, causing issues during treatment.