Researchers have developed an innovative synthetic bone graft that could transform the treatment of bone cancer. By adding gallium oxide to a bioactive glass material, the new graft not only helps regenerate lost bone but also destroys remaining cancer cells and prevents bacterial infections after surgery. Cancer cells absorb much more gallium than healthy cells, triggering processes that lead to their self-destruction while leaving normal bone cells largely unharmed. The material also completely blocked the growth of the dangerous bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa in laboratory tests. Although further clinical studies are needed, this multifunctional graft could improve limb-sparing surgery outcomes and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and infection.
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