Tiny_JJ Probes_NN2 Measure_VV0 Signals_NN2 Inside_II Cells_NN2 Nanowire_VV0 transistors_NN2 could_VM make_VVI better_JJR connections_NN2 between_II the_AT body_NN1 and_CC electronic_JJ devices_NN2 ._. 
Researchers_NN2 at_II Harvard_NP1 University_NN1 have_VH0 made_VVN biocompatible_JJ ,_, nanometer-scaled_JJR transistors_NN2 that_CST can_VM be_VBI used_VVN to_TO take_VVI highly_RR precise_JJ electrical_JJ and_CC chemical_JJ readings_NN2 inside_II cells_NN2 ._. 
The_AT bioprobes_NN2 are_VBR much_RR more_RGR sensitive_JJ than_CSN the_AT passive_JJ electrodes_NN2 that_CST have_VH0 been_VBN used_VVN to_TO make_VVI intracellular_JJ measurements_NN2 in_II the_AT past_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Harvard_NP1 group_NN1 ,_, led_VVN by_II chemistry_NN1 professor_NN1 Charles_NP1 Lieber_NP1 ,_, is_VBZ now_RT developing_VVG more_RGR sophisticated_JJ bioelectronics_NN2 that_CST will_VM take_VVI advantage_NN1 of_IO transistors_NN2 '_GE ability_NN1 to_TO send_VVI as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 receive_VV0 electrical_JJ signals_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 're_VBR also_RR working_VVG with_IW a_AT1 tissue-engineering_JJ group_NN1 to_TO develop_VVI implantable_JJ bioelectronics_NN2 that_CST could_VM make_VVI better_JJR connections_NN2 between_II the_AT body_NN1 and_CC neural_JJ prosthetics_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 those_DD2 that_CST control_VV0 some_DD artificial_JJ limbs_NN2 ._. 
The_AT probes_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ are_VBR based_VVN on_II silicon_NN1 nanowires_NN2 ,_, can_VM be_VBI grouped_VVN in_II large_JJ arrays_NN2 ,_, so_CS the_AT researchers_NN2 also_RR hope_VV0 to_TO use_VVI them_PPHO2 to_TO get_VVI a_AT1 picture_NN1 of_IO biochemical_JJ and_CC electrical_JJ networks_NN2 in_II the_AT large_JJ groups_NN2 of_IO cells_NN2 that_CST make_VV0 up_RP tissues_NN2 ._. 
Such_DA measurements_NN2 are_VBR difficult_JJ to_TO make_VVI today_RT ._. 
Conventional_JJ metal_NN1 electrodes_NN2 have_VH0 been_VBN used_VVN to_TO take_VVI electrical_JJ and_CC chemical_JJ readings_NN2 in_II single_JJ cells_NN2 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 are_VBR invasive_JJ ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 ca_VM n't_XX achieve_VVI good_JJ electrical_JJ performance_NN1 unless_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR relatively_RR large_JJ compared_VVN to_II the_AT cells_NN2 themselves_PPX2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 irritate_VV0 tissues_NN2 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 ca_VM n't_XX amplify_VVI or_CC process_VVI signals_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Harvard_NP1 cell_NN1 probes_NN2 ,_, described_VVD today_RT in_II the_AT journal_NN1 Science_NN1 ,_, are_VBR three-dimensional_JJ ,_, V-shaped_JJ silicon_NN1 nanowires_VVZ with_IW transistors_NN2 at_II their_APPGE tips_NN2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 're_VBR flexible_JJ and_CC coated_VVN with_IW two_MC layers_NN2 of_IO lipid_JJ molecules_NN2 ,_, just_RR as_II a_AT1 cell_NN1 is_VBZ ._. 
When_CS the_AT transistor_NN1 tip_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ about_II the_AT size_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 virus_NN1 ,_, encounters_VVZ a_AT1 cell_NN1 ,_, the_AT cell_NN1 pulls_VVZ it_PPH1 inside_RL ._. 
Lieber_NP1 's_GE group_NN1 found_VVD that_CST the_AT tips_NN2 can_VM also_RR be_VBI removed_VVN gently_RR ,_, with_IW no_AT ill_JJ effects_NN2 to_II the_AT cell_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 've_VH0 used_VVN the_AT transistor_NN1 probes_VVZ to_TO take_VVI electrical_JJ measurements_NN2 in_II single_JJ cells_NN2 and_CC are_VBR now_RT using_VVG them_PPHO2 to_TO measure_VVI electrical_JJ activity_NN1 in_II the_AT groups_NN2 of_IO adjacent_JJ cells_NN2 that_CST form_VV0 tissues_NN2 ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 've_VH0 demonstrated_VVN very_RG impressive_JJ intracellular_JJ signal_NN1 detection_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Yi_NP1 Cui_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 professor_NN1 of_IO materials_NN2 science_NN1 and_CC engineering_NN1 at_II Stanford_NP1 University_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 former_DA member_NN1 of_IO Lieber_NP1 's_GE lab_NN1 ._. 
What_DDQ makes_VVZ this_DD1 possible_JJ ,_, says_VVZ Cui_NP1 ,_, is_VBZ the_AT innovative_JJ structure_NN1 of_IO the_AT bioprobe_NN1 ._. 
Lieber_NN1 makes_VVZ millions_NNO2 of_IO the_AT free-standing_JJ nanowires_NN2 at_RR21 once_RR22 using_VVG a_AT1 three-step_JJ growth_NN1 process_NN1 ._. 
First_MD he_PPHS1 grows_VVZ one_MC1 arm_NN1 of_IO the_AT V_ZZ1 from_II a_AT1 silicon-containing_JJ gas_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT he_PPHS1 creates_VVZ a_AT1 kink_NN1 in_II the_AT wire_NN1 using_VVG a_AT1 technique_NN1 he_PPHS1 developed_VVD last_MD year_NNT1 ._. 
Next_MD ,_, he_PPHS1 chemically_RR treats_VVZ the_AT kink_NN1 to_TO create_VVI a_AT1 transistor_NN1 and_CC then_RT induces_VVZ the_AT nanowire_NN1 to_TO start_VVI growing_VVG again_RT ._. 
The_AT completed_JJ wire_NN1 turns_VVZ back_RP 60_MC degrees_NN2 at_II the_AT kink_NN1 ._. 
Electrical_JJ contacts_NN2 on_II a_AT1 variety_NN1 of_IO substrates_NN2 can_VM be_VBI connected_VVN to_II the_AT arms_NN2 of_IO the_AT V_ZZ1 ,_, turning_VVG the_AT nanowires_NN2 into_II three-dimensional_JJ electronic_JJ probes_NN2 ._. 
"_" These_DD2 could_VM be_VBI used_VVN for_IF electrophysiology_NN1 experiments_NN2 to_TO study_VVI the_AT nervous_JJ system_NN1 in_II a_AT1 detailed_JJ way_NN1 over_II long_JJ periods_NN2 of_IO time_NNT1 ,_, or_CC for_IF cell-based_JJ drug_NN1 screens_NN2 ,_, especially_RR for_IF cardiac_JJ drugs_NN2 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Lieber_NN1 ._. 
Silicon-nanowire_JJ transistors_NN2 have_VH0 also_RR been_VBN used_VVN as_CSA chemical_JJ sensors_NN2 :_: their_APPGE resistance_NN1 changes_NN2 measurably_RR when_CS a_AT1 biomolecule_NN1 such_II21 as_II22 mRNA_NN1 or_CC a_AT1 protein_NN1 attaches_VVZ to_II a_AT1 binding_JJ molecule_NN1 at_II the_AT surface_NN1 ._. 
Lieber_NN1 is_VBZ interested_JJ in_II extending_VVG this_DD1 capability_NN1 to_II the_AT probes_NN2 ._. 
The_AT Harvard_NP1 researchers_NN2 are_VBR now_RT collaborating_VVG with_IW a_AT1 group_NN1 at_II MIT_NP1 to_TO incorporate_VVI the_AT nanoprobes_NN2 into_II medical_JJ devices_NN2 ,_, including_II scaffolds_NN2 used_VMK to_TO make_VVI artificial_JJ tissues_NN2 ._. 
Circuits_NN2 of_IO nanowires_NN2 could_VM "_" innervate_VV0 "_" an_AT1 artificial_JJ tissue_NN1 so_CS21 that_CS22 it_PPH1 could_VM measure_VVI and_CC respond_VVI to_II electrical_JJ signals_NN2 propagating_VVG through_II the_AT heart_NN1 or_CC brain_NN1 ._. 
These_DD2 bioelectronics_NN2 might_VM enable_VVI better_JJR communication_NN1 between_II the_AT brain_NN1 and_CC an_AT1 artificial_JJ limb_NN1 ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ._. 
Delivering_VVG More_DAR Drugs_NN2 to_II Brain_NN1 Tumors_NN2 Combining_VVG ultrasound_NN1 with_IW magnetic_JJ particles_NN2 could_VM help_VVI advance_NN1 treatments_NN2 ._. 
The_AT brain_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE adjacent_JJ blood_NN1 vessels_NN2 are_VBR separated_VVN by_II a_AT1 protective_JJ barrier_NN1 --_NN1 it_PPH1 keeps_VVZ viruses_NN2 and_CC other_JJ infections_NN2 out_RP but_CCB also_RR limits_VVZ entry_NN1 of_IO most_DAT medications_NN2 ,_, making_VVG tumors_NN2 and_CC other_JJ diseases_NN2 of_IO the_AT brain_NN1 particularly_RR difficult_JJ to_TO treat_VVI ._. 
But_CCB researchers_NN2 in_II Taiwan_NP1 have_VH0 found_VVN a_AT1 way_NN1 to_TO transport_VVI more_DAR anticancer_NN1 therapeutics_NN1 to_II the_AT brain_NN1 than_CSN previously_RR possible_JJ through_II a_AT1 novel_JJ combination_NN1 of_IO ultrasound_NN1 and_CC magnetic_JJ particles_NN2 ._. 
The_AT new_JJ research_NN1 shows_VVZ how_RRQ independently_RR successful_JJ approaches_NN2 can_VM work_VVI in_II concert_NN1 to_TO be_VBI markedly_RR more_RGR effective_JJ ._. 
Focused_JJ ultrasound_NN1 waves_NN2 ,_, along_II21 with_II22 a_AT1 solution_NN1 of_IO microbubbles_NN2 injected_VVN into_II the_AT bloodstream_NN1 ,_, had_VHD already_RR been_VBN proven_VVN to_TO briefly_RR disturb_VVI the_AT blood-brain_JJ barrier_NN1 ._. 
Now_RT ,_, Kuo-Chen_NP1 Wei_NP1 ,_, of_IO Chang_NP1 Gung_NP1 University_NN1 College_NN1 of_IO Medicine_NN1 ,_, has_VHZ combined_VVN the_AT ultrasound_NN1 method_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 technique_NN1 that_CST uses_VVZ a_AT1 magnetic_JJ field_NN1 to_TO attract_VVI drug-coated_NN1 ,_, magnetically_RR charged_VVN nanoparticles_NN2 to_II the_AT precise_JJ spot_NN1 where_CS they_PPHS2 're_VBR most_RRT needed_VVN ._. 
The_AT disrupted_JJ blood-brain_JJ barrier_NN1 allows_VVZ far_RG more_DAR of_IO these_DD2 larger_JJR nanoparticles_NN2 to_TO enter_VVI the_AT brain_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT magnetic_JJ field_NN1 guides_NN2 them_PPHO2 directly_RR to_II the_AT tumors_NN2 ._. 
"_" Typical_JJ anticancer_NN1 drugs_NN2 ca_VM n't_XX &lsqb;_( accumulate_VV0 in_RP &rsqb;_) the_AT brain_NN1 because_II21 of_II22 the_AT blood-brain_JJ barrier_NN1 ,_, "_" Wei_NP1 says_VVZ ._. 
"_" If_CS we_PPIS2 could_VM increase_VVI the_AT local_JJ concentration_NN1 of_IO the_AT drug_NN1 and_CC decrease_VV0 the_AT systemic_JJ side_NN1 effects_NN2 ,_, that_DD1 would_VM be_VBI more_RGR practical_JJ for_IF treatment_NN1 ._. "_" 
In_II rats_NN2 ,_, at_RR21 least_RR22 ,_, he_PPHS1 and_CC his_APPGE colleagues_NN2 have_VH0 done_VDN just_RR that_DD1 ._. 
Their_APPGE results_NN2 ,_, published_VVD online_RR today_RT in_II Proceedings_NN2 of_IO the_AT National_JJ Academy_NN1 of_IO Sciences_NN2 and_CC last_MD month_NNT1 in_II the_AT journal_NN1 Neuro-Oncology_NP1 ,_, show_VV0 that_CST the_AT ultrasound-magnetic_JJ targeting_VVG approach_NN1 drives_VVZ more_RGR therapeutic_JJ particles_NN2 through_II the_AT blood-brain_JJ barrier_NN1 ,_, increasing_JJ drug_NN1 concentrations_NN2 in_II the_AT tumor_NN1 region_NN1 of_IO the_AT rat_NN1 brain_NN1 by_II 20-fold_JJ over_II the_AT amount_NN1 that_CST passively_RR diffused_VVN from_II the_AT bloodstream_NN1 in_II untreated_JJ rats_NN2 ._. 
"_" Right_RR now_RT ,_, there_EX 's_VBZ a_AT1 huge_JJ limitation_NN1 on_II using_VVG drugs_NN2 in_II the_AT brain_NN1 for_IF disorders_NN2 of_IO all_DB kinds_NN2 --_JJ Alzheimer_NP1 's_GE ,_, epilepsy_NN1 ,_, Parkinson_NP1 's_GE ,_, anything_PN1 you_PPY can_VM think_VVI of_IO ,_, "_" says_VVZ Nathan_NP1 MacDannold_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 radiologist_NN1 who_PNQS runs_VVZ the_AT Focused_JJ Ultrasound_NN1 Laboratory_NN1 at_II Brigham_NP1 and_CC Women_NN2 's_GE Hospital_NN1 in_II Boston_NP1 ._. 
"_" Opening_VVG up_RP a_AT1 new_JJ way_NN1 to_TO get_VVI drugs_NN2 into_II the_AT brain_NN1 could_VM be_VBI a_AT1 very_RG big_JJ deal_NN1 ,_, if_CS we_PPIS2 can_VM do_VDI it_PPH1 safely_RR and_CC translate_VV0 it_PPH1 to_II humans_NN2 ._. "_" 
Even_RR executing_VVG the_AT technique_NN1 in_II rats_NN2 required_VVN a_AT1 massive_JJ amount_NN1 of_IO effort_NN1 and_CC technological_JJ innovation_NN1 ._. 
Wei_NN2 and_CC his_APPGE group_NN1 had_VHD to_TO build_VVI their_APPGE own_DA drug-dosed_JJ magnetic_JJ nanoparticles_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ they_PPHS2 made_VVD by_II first_MD coating_NN1 the_AT particles_NN2 with_IW iron_NN1 oxide_NN1 to_TO make_VVI them_PPHO2 magnetic_JJ and_CC then_RT adding_VVG a_AT1 layer_NN1 of_IO the_AT brain-tumor_JJ drug_NN1 epirubicin_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB they_PPHS2 also_RR had_VHD to_TO build_VVI a_AT1 platform_NN1 that_CST combined_VVD both_RR focused_VVN ultrasound_NN1 directed_VVD only_RR toward_II the_AT area_NN1 of_IO the_AT tumor_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 magnetic_JJ field_NN1 immediately_RR over_II the_AT same_DA spot_NN1 ._. 
(_( Opening_VVG up_RP the_AT blood-brain_JJ barrier_NN1 anywhere_RL else_RR in_II the_AT brain_NN1 could_VM allow_VVI toxic_JJ cancer-killing_JJ drugs_NN2 to_TO kill_VVI healthy_JJ cells_NN2 ._. )_) 
Using_VVG magnetic_JJ particles_NN2 has_VHZ an_AT1 additional_JJ benefit_NN1 ._. 
Magnetic_JJ resonance_NN1 imaging_NN1 (_( MRI_NP1 )_) scans_NN2 can_VM detect_VVI the_AT therapeutic_JJ nanoparticles_NN2 ,_, potentially_RR allowing_VVG researchers_NN2 to_TO estimate_VVI how_RGQ much_DA1 of_IO the_AT drug_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN absorbed_VVN into_II the_AT brain_NN1 ._. 
Clinical_JJ use_NN1 of_IO the_AT technique_NN1 ,_, however_RR ,_, is_VBZ still_RR a_AT1 long_JJ way_NN1 off_RP ._. 
"_" If_CS we_PPIS2 want_VV0 to_TO push_VVI this_DD1 method_NN1 to_II clinical_JJ trial_NN1 ,_, several_DA2 problems_NN2 must_VM be_VBI resolved_VVN ,_, "_" Wei_NP1 says_VVZ ._. 
The_AT system_NN1 has_VHZ to_TO be_VBI scaled_VVN up_RP to_TO be_VBI used_VVN on_II larger_JJR animals_NN2 --_NN1 not_XX an_AT1 easy_JJ proposition_NN1 ,_, since_CS the_AT magnetic_JJ fields_NN2 must_VM penetrate_VVI more_RGR deeply_RR to_TO reach_VVI their_APPGE brains_NN2 ._. 
The_AT entire_JJ process_NN1 must_VM also_RR be_VBI fine-tuned_VVN so_CS it_PPH1 can_VM be_VBI replicated_VVN precisely_RR ,_, over_RP and_CC over_RP ._. 
The_AT magnetic_JJ field_NN1 technology_NN1 must_VM be_VBI honed_VVN to_TO make_VVI it_PPH1 both_RR more_RGR portable_JJ and_CC more_RGR accurate_JJ ,_, to_TO ensure_VVI that_CST it_PPH1 does_VDZ n't_XX attract_VVI toxic_JJ particles_NN2 to_II anywhere_RL other_II21 than_II22 the_AT cancerous_JJ tumors_NN2 ._. 
And_CC the_AT focused_JJ ultrasound_NN1 technology_NN1 has_VHZ yet_RR to_TO be_VBI proven_VVN effective_JJ at_II blood-brain_JJ barrier_NN1 disruption_NN1 in_II the_AT larger_JJR ,_, thicker_JJR human_JJ brain_NN1 ,_, let_II21 alone_II22 safe_JJ ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 applaud_VV0 them_PPHO2 for_IF what_DDQ they_PPHS2 're_VBR doing_VDG ,_, "_" says_VVZ Pierre_NP1 Mourad_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 physicist_NN1 who_PNQS specializes_VVZ in_II medical_JJ acoustics_NN2 at_II the_AT University_NN1 of_IO Washington_NP1 in_II Seattle_NP1 ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 've_VH0 managed_VVN to_TO do_VDI an_AT1 exhaustive_JJ first_MD pass_NN1 at_II a_AT1 novel_JJ way_NN1 of_IO addressing_VVG the_AT difficult_JJ problem_NN1 of_IO increasing_JJ dose_NN1 delivery_NN1 into_II the_AT brain_NN1 ._. "_" 
But_CCB Mourad_NP1 says_VVZ he_PPHS1 's_VBZ disappointed_JJ that_CST the_AT group_NN1 focused_VVD strictly_RR on_II brain_NN1 tumors_NN2 ._. 
"_" For_IF many_DA2 malignant_JJ primary_JJ brain_NN1 tumors_NN2 ,_, increased_JJ uptake_NN1 of_IO drug_NN1 into_II the_AT tumor_NN1 is_VBZ n't_XX the_AT problem_NN1 ._. "_" 
Rather_RR ,_, he_PPHS1 says_VVZ ,_, even_RR after_II a_AT1 malignant_JJ tumor_NN1 has_VHZ been_VBN surgically_RR removed_VVN ,_, there_EX are_VBR still_RR cancerous_JJ cells_NN2 throughout_II the_AT brain_NN1 that_CST can_VM cause_VVI a_AT1 recurrence_NN1 of_IO disease_NN1 ._. 
The_AT magnetic-targeting_JJ method_NN1 only_RR directs_VVZ therapy_NN1 to_II tumors_NN2 that_CST are_VBR visible_JJ ,_, leaving_VVG the_AT rogue_NN1 cells_NN2 behind_RL ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'd_VM want_VVI to_TO solve_VVI movement_NN1 disorders_NN2 with_IW these_DD2 procedures_NN2 ,_, "_" Mourad_NP1 says_VVZ --_JJ diseases_NN2 such_II21 as_II22 Parkinson_NP1 's_GE and_CC Alzheimer_NP1 's_GE ,_, in_II which_DDQ very_RG discrete_JJ bits_NN2 of_IO the_AT brain_NN1 go_VV0 bad_JJ ._. 
Parkinson_NP1 's_GE ,_, for_REX21 instance_REX22 ,_, typically_RR affects_VVZ distinct_JJ ,_, well-known_JJ locations_NN2 ._. 
"_" There_EX are_VBR decent_JJ drugs_NN2 to_TO address_VVI it_PPH1 ,_, but_CCB delivery_NN1 and_CC dose_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT big_JJ problem_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ Mourad_NP1 ._. 
"_" That_DD1 's_VBZ where_RRQ I_PPIS1 would_VM go_VVI first_MD with_IW this_DD1 exciting_JJ technology_NN1 ._. "_" 
Brigham_NP1 and_CC Women_NN2 's_GE McDannold_NP1 also_RR sees_VVZ broader_JJR applications_NN2 ._. 
"_" Technology_NN1 that_CST can_VM get_VVI drugs_NN2 into_II the_AT brain_NN1 where_CS we_PPIS2 currently_RR ca_VM n't_XX ,_, and_CC deliver_VV0 them_PPHO2 in_II a_AT1 controlled_JJ way_NN1 ,_, opens_VVZ up_RP possibilities_NN2 for_IF drugs_NN2 of_IO all_DB types_NN2 ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 says_VVZ ._. 
Electrifying_VVG Brain_NN1 Tumors_NN2 Combined_VVN with_IW chemotherapy_NN1 ,_, electric_JJ fields_NN2 help_VV0 prevent_VVI the_AT growth_NN1 of_IO deadly_JJ brain_NN1 tumors_NN2 ._. 
The_AT particularly_RR lethal_JJ brain_NN1 cancer_NN1 known_VVN as_II glioblastoma_NN1 multiforme_NN1 is_VBZ fast-growing_JJ ,_, difficult_JJ to_TO treat_VVI ,_, and_CC nearly_RR always_RR fatal_JJ ;_; even_RR with_IW aggressive_JJ therapy_NN1 ,_, patients_NN2 have_VH0 a_AT1 median_JJ survival_NN1 time_NNT1 of_IO less_DAR than_CSN two_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
But_CCB scientists_NN2 are_VBR pursuing_VVG new_JJ ways_NN2 to_TO attack_VVI this_DD1 type_NN1 of_IO brain_NN1 tumor_NN1 ,_, and_CC one_MC1 company_NN1 may_VM just_RR be_VBI succeeding_VVG ._. 
NovoCure_VV0 ,_, a_AT1 small_JJ startup_NN1 founded_VVN in_II Israel_NP1 in_II 2000_MC ,_, has_VHZ developed_VVN a_AT1 device_NN1 that_CST uses_VVZ an_AT1 electric_JJ field_NN1 to_TO disrupt_VVI the_AT growth_NN1 of_IO cancer_NN1 cells_NN2 ,_, and_CC early_JJ results_NN2 are_VBR promising_JJ ._. 
Out_II21 of_II22 ten_MC patients_NN2 who_PNQS started_VVD using_VVG the_AT device_NN1 in_II combination_NN1 with_IW chemotherapy_NN1 shortly_RR after_II their_APPGE initial_JJ diagnosis_NN1 ,_, seven_MC are_VBR still_RR alive_JJ more_DAR than_CSN four_MC years_NNT2 later_RRR ,_, and_CC five_MC of_IO them_PPHO2 show_VV0 no_AT signs_NN2 of_IO cancer_NN1 progression_NN1 ._. 
NovoCure_NP1 's_GE device_NN1 consists_VVZ of_IO insulated_JJ electrode_NN1 pairs_NN2 placed_VVN on_II a_AT1 patient_NN1 's_GE body_NN1 near_II the_AT tumors_NN2 ,_, attached_VVN by_II leads_NN2 to_II a_AT1 three-kilogram_NNU1 battery_NN1 that_CST the_AT patient_NN1 carries_VVZ everywhere_RL ._. 
The_AT electrodes_NN2 emit_VV0 low-intensity_JJ electric_JJ fields_NN2 that_CST rapidly_RR alternate_VV0 to_TO create_VVI a_AT1 current_JJ that_CST has_VHZ no_AT effect_NN1 on_II any_DD tissue_NN1 in_II the_AT body_NN1 except_II dividing_JJ cells_NN2 ._. 
Just_RR before_II a_AT1 dividing_JJ cell_NN1 splits_VVZ in_II two_MC ,_, it_PPH1 briefly_RR forms_VVZ an_AT1 hourglass_NN1 shape_NN1 before_II the_AT two_MC daughter_NN1 cells_NN2 pinch_VV0 off_RP ,_, and_CC this_DD1 shape_NN1 is_VBZ particularly_RR vulnerable_JJ to_II electricity_NN1 ._. 
The_AT current_NN1 gets_VVZ concentrated_JJ at_II the_AT cell_NN1 's_GE narrow_JJ waist_NN1 ,_, and_CC at_II the_AT very_JJ moment_NN1 of_IO division_NN1 ,_, the_AT cell_NN1 membrane_NN1 is_VBZ destroyed_VVN ,_, and_CC the_AT cells_NN2 disintegrate_VV0 ._. 
Previous_JJ trials_NN2 showed_VVD promising_JJ early_JJ results_NN2 ,_, first_MD in_II patients_NN2 with_IW recurrent_JJ glioblastoma_NN1 who_PNQS had_VHD exhausted_VVN their_APPGE treatment_NN1 options_NN2 ,_, and_CC then_RT in_II patients_NN2 newly_RR diagnosed_VVN with_IW the_AT disease_NN1 ._. 
The_AT new_JJ results_NN2 are_VBR so_RG promising_JJ that_CST the_AT company_NN1 is_VBZ now_RT recruiting_VVG 283_MC newly_RR diagnosed_VVN glioblastoma_NN1 patients_NN2 across_II the_AT United_NP1 States_NP1 and_CC in_II Europe_NP1 to_TO participate_VVI in_II a_AT1 two-year_JJ pivotal_JJ clinical_JJ trial_NN1 ._. 
(_( The_AT U.S._NP1 Food_NN1 and_CC Drug_NN1 Administration_NN1 approval_NN1 process_NN1 for_IF medical_JJ devices_NN2 requires_VVZ only_RR two_MC clinical_JJ trial_NN1 phases_NN2 ,_, pilot_NN1 and_CC pivotal_JJ ,_, as_II31 opposed_II32 to_II33 the_AT three_MC required_JJ for_IF medications_NN2 ._. )_) 
Recent_JJ results_NN2 from_II a_AT1 pilot_NN1 lung-cancer_NN1 trial_NN1 show_VV0 that_CST the_AT combination_NN1 of_IO electric_JJ fields_NN2 plus_II traditional_JJ chemotherapy_NN1 may_VM also_RR increase_VVI survival_NN1 and_CC decrease_VVI disease_NN1 progression_NN1 in_II patients_NN2 with_IW late-stage_JJ non-small_JJ cell_NN1 lung_NN1 cancer_NN1 ._. 
While_CS chemotherapy_NN1 and_CC the_AT electric_JJ field_NN1 generated_VVN by_II the_AT device_NN1 both_RR have_VH0 an_AT1 effect_NN1 when_CS used_VVN in_II isolation_NN1 ,_, when_CS they_PPHS2 're_VBR put_VVN together_RL their_APPGE properties_NN2 are_VBR more_DAR than_CSN additive_JJ --_NN1 the_AT electric_JJ fields_NN2 appear_VV0 to_TO make_VVI the_AT cancer_NN1 cells_NN2 far_RG more_RGR susceptible_JJ to_II chemotherapy_NN1 without_IW any_DD additional_JJ increase_NN1 in_II side_NN1 effects_NN2 and_CC toxicity_NN1 ._. 
"_" Practically_RR all_DB chemotherapies_NN2 are_VBR designed_VVN to_TO hit_VVI specific_JJ receptors_NN2 on_II cancer_NN1 cells_NN2 ,_, and_CC they_PPHS2 are_VBR usually_RR targeted_VVN to_II very_RG specific_JJ types_NN2 or_CC even_RR subtypes_VVZ of_IO cancer_NN1 ,_, "_" says_VVZ physiologist_NN1 Yoram_NP1 Palti_NP1 ,_, the_AT founder_NN1 and_CC director_NN1 of_IO NovoCure_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS developed_VVD the_AT therapy_NN1 ._. 
In_II contrast_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 says_VVZ ,_, radiation_NN1 hits_VVZ all_DB types_NN2 of_IO cancers_NN2 ,_, but_CCB its_APPGE ability_NN1 to_TO target_VVI cancer_NN1 cells_NN2 over_II other_JJ tissues_NN2 is_VBZ relatively_RR low_JJ ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ looking_VVG for_IF a_AT1 single_JJ modality_NN1 that_CST would_VM be_VBI effective_JJ against_II most_DAT ,_, if_CS not_XX all_DB ,_, types_NN2 of_IO cancer_NN1 ,_, without_IW the_AT negative_JJ effects_NN2 of_IO radiation_NN1 ,_, "_" Palti_NP1 says_VVZ ._. 
The_AT electric_JJ field_NN1 appears_VVZ to_TO do_VDI just_RR that_DD1 ._. 
"_" In_II the_AT lab_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ effective_JJ against_II all_DB types_NN2 of_IO cancer_NN1 cells_NN2 we_PPIS2 tested_VVD ._. "_" 
Typical_JJ glioblastoma_NN1 treatment_NN1 consists_VVZ of_IO surgery_NN1 followed_VVN by_II simultaneous_JJ chemotherapy_NN1 and_CC radiation_NN1 ._. 
After_CS about_RG four_MC weeks_NNT2 ,_, radiation_NN1 stops_VVZ and_CC chemotherapy_NN1 continues_VVZ ._. 
But_CCB the_AT reason_NN1 glioblastoma_NN1 is_VBZ so_RG deadly_JJ is_VBZ that_DD1 cancerous_JJ cells_NN2 spread_VVN throughout_II the_AT brain_NN1 long_RR before_CS they_PPHS2 can_VM be_VBI picked_VVN up_RP by_II MRI_JJ scans_NN2 ._. 
