CYTOTRON has been proven to be an effective solution for tissue regeneration in patients suffering osteoarthritis or having joint injuries, and also promises to be a viable option for treating cancer in future. Based on Rotational Field Quantum Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (RFQMR) technology, this highly advanced treatment shows phenomenal improvement in patient’s quality of life, without leaving any major side-effect as associated with traditional radiotherapies.

Dr. R V Ravi Kumar of Centre for Advanced Research and Development (CARD), Bangalore, who holds the worldwide patent for CYTOTRON talks with eHEALTH about this technology and its application.

It is established that trans-membrane potential (TMP) is one of the known cellular signaling pathways. TMP pathways also regulate synthesis of various proteins at the appropriate time in the living cells. Many illnesses � like cancer, heart disease, degenerative disorders like cartilage loss and different kind of inflammation � are also linked to disturbances in the protein transcription process. It was postulated in 1993 that if appropriate method can be developed to alter the TMP in a controlled manner, most of these disorders that are protein linked can be tackled.

Rotational Field Quantum Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (RFQMR) is a technology that is made to deliver highly complex quantum Nuclear Magnetic Resonance beams in the sub-radio and radio frequency spectrum (using CYTOTRONTM, developed by Centre for Advanced Research and Development (CARD), the Research Wing of Scalene Cybernetics Limited), with a near field delivery using specialised antenna (K- μ Ferrite type; Near Field; gain; 10dB), that when appropriately controlled can alter the TMP to the specific requirement like stimulation of HSP 70 group of protein in cartilage regeneration or P53 and it’s silent partner P73 protein in case of Neoplastic Disorders (Malignant Tumors). The delivered instantaneous mode magnetic and RF modulation is highly cell specific (based on proton density, permittivity and depth of penetration), to modulate the cell membrane potential in vivo, such that specific protein required for tissue regeneration or degeneration is initiated.

In Chondrogenesis (Cartilage cells) the RFQMR beams are precisely controlled and focused onto tissues therein generating streaming voltage potentials, this flow in the joint causes forced movement of hydrogen protons in the extra cellular matrix (ECM) due to alteration in nuclear spin in the hydrogen atoms and subsequent resonance. This causes a decrease in the TMP of the chondrocytes stimulating the production of the required protein for initiation of mitosis by dedifferentiation and redifferentiation.

How can you describe the CYTOTRON machine and the way it works?

CYTOTRON is a very large machine that carries about 864 emission guns (older versions with 288 guns) each of which produces high instantaneous magnetic field and radio frequency. It also consists of a special near field antenna and parabolic reflectors to deliver these signals. These guns emit packets or quantum of programmed signals in time and space that are focused on the target of interest using laser guides. The antenna delivers these emitted strings of packets, which contain the dosimetry required for a specific medical condition. The beams are then rotated in 360 degrees around the target.

The patient is made to lie down on a traveling bed, the bed travels into the bore of the CYTOTRON, the laser guides come on and the technician focuses the guns as per a pre-prepared template. The secondary dosimetry that is prepared by a trained doctor is initiated from the control room and the CYTOTRON starts its job. After completing the assigned dose of radiation, the device automatically stops and the patient is taken out of the bore.

Apart from Osteoarthritis and joint injury can CYTOTRON be used for curing other non-communicable diseases? What is the progress so far for treating cancer patients?

Theoretically yes, but practically there are some challenges. Firstly, till now, not much is understood about protein synthesis and TMP pathways for most diseases. In areas it is understood, it is a long drawn process to create precise algorithms and delivery systems, simulate the outcome and then conduct clinical trials before it can be used to cure diseases. For instance, it took more than 15 years to treat the first patient for osteoarthritis, and similarly for cancer. There is need for a lot of research in this area.

Currently, freshly diagnosed cancer patients are not treated with CYTOTRON as the phase II trial has to be completed and proper protocols has to be put in place before it is used for general public. However, it is still experimental in treatment of Cancer as a primary therapy, or in combination with existing modalities. It is also experimental in the treatment of Neurological disorders and other non-communicable diseases.

What is the success rate of CYTOTRON treatment in Osteoarthritis and Cancer?

First of all, it depends on how you define ‘success rate’. Success can be viewed from both subjective and objective side. Subjective side is how the patient feels and his general quality of life after the treatment and the objective side is the actual physical measurements that determine the end point of our research. In case of osteoarthritis, the subjective success is about 85% and the objective success is about 98%; this means 85% of the 202 patients treated during the phase II clinical trials were pain free, with increased movement of their treated joints and could walk longer distance, climb stairs and drive. The objective success rate is 98%, as we could achieve our end-point for up to 98% of the patients treated.

In case of terminal cancer patients, the success rate means a little different from others. Terminal cancer patients have a few weeks or months to live. So, in research involving terminal cancer patients, a one-year survival rate is taken. Out of the treated terminal cancer patients, the one year survival rate was 52% (including patients who died of heart attacks kidney failure etc.,) while 92% of the patients had improved quality of life, for whatever period they lived. All our research outcomes are audited by International third party audit and not the mere analysis of the project investigators.

Can a patient with cardiac stents, orthopedic implants or pacemakers be treated with CYTOTRON?

None of the implants are a contraindication as long as they are MR compatible, that is, you are permitted to take an MRI scan by your radiologist. Pacemakers are absolutely contraindicated, even if it is MR compatible. Pacemakers or any other radiosensitive implanted devices should not be allowed within 15 meters of the CYTOTRON machine.

Are there any adverse health effects of CYTOTRON-based treatments?

All forms of radiations are harmful, some are more and some are less. High frequency radiations are considered very harmful as they cause ionization of biological structure. However, RFQMR-based CYTOTRON emits only low frequency radiations that cannot damage biological tissues. However, if delivered uncontrolled, they are reported to cause minor physiological effects like depression or pain or some metabolic abnormalities. That is why we take enough precautions and checks in operations of this machine. Only certified technicians and doctors trained by us are eligible to use it on patients.

Is CYTOTRON commercially available in India? What could be the price of the machine?

CYTOTRON will be commercially available from April ’09 onwards. CYTOTRON has been licensed exclusively to Scalene Cybernetics Limited to manufacture and market it internationally. CYTOTRON is also the registered Trade Mark of Scalene Cybernetics Limited. The whole body machine with 864 guns would cost around 2.5 crore (25 million) Indian rupees.

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