Prof. Deblina Sarkar was recently highlighted in the 2024 ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation Annual Review for her groundbreaking work in pediatric brain cancer. 

The ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation is committed to accelerating a cure for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and diffuse midline glioma (DMG), the most aggressive forms of pediatric brain cancer. Founded by families who lost their children to this devastating disease, the foundation focuses on funding the most promising and innovative scientific research. Over the past decade, it has supported 90 researchers worldwide, fueling discoveries that are beginning to shift the landscape of DIPG treatment. Grounded in compassion, integrity, and a deep respect for the children and families affected, the foundation is a driving force in the fight against childhood brain cancer.

As one of four researchers nationwide awarded the New Investigator Award in 2023 by the ChadTough Foundation, Prof. Sarkar’s nanoelectronic devices are poised to provide potentially life-saving treatment for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), a highly aggressive and currently incurable childhood brain tumor.

From the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation 2024 Annual Review—Pioneering Change: Progress in the Fight Against DIPG/DMG

Research Project Spotlight: Nanoelectronics-Based Treatment for DIPG: A Breakthrough Approach

Dr. Sarkar is developing the first nonsurgical brain implant for bioelectric therapy, using nanoelectronic devices that travel through blood vessels, autonomously detecting and targeting tumors. These devices generate controlled electric fields to selectively destroy cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. This portable, noninvasive therapy could reduce treatment time, improve quality of life, and integrate with existing therapies. With low-cost production and high accessibility, this innovation has the potential to revolutionize DIPG treatment, bringing new hope to families facing this devastating disease.

The development of a nonsurgical, nanoelectronics-based brain implant to treat Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) represents a potentially transformative leap in pediatric neuro-oncology through:

• Non-surgical Implantation: Surgical procedures are particularly challenging for DIPG because of the risks of injury to sensitive structures, in and near the brainstem. The nanoelectronic devices overcome this challenge as they are self-implanted through the body fluids and are surgery-free.
• Tumor-Specific Targeting: These devices autonomously locate and target tumor cells, minimizing collateral damage to healthy brain tissue—crucial in DIPG cases where location and spread make precision vital.
• Scalability and Accessibility: Low-cost production and elimination of surgery related risks and costs could enable wider accessibility, addressing the global gap in pediatric cancer treatment.

This novel therapy holds the potential to revolutionize the treatment of DIPG, improving survival outcomes and quality of life for affected children and families. Prof. Sarkar's Nano-Cybernetic Biotrek research group's broader mission to combat hard-to-treat brain diseases reflects a deeply human commitment to translating engineering innovation into real-world healing.

“Our in vivo animal studies using samples obtained from human patients show that our nano-bioelectronic therapy can completely halt the growth of brain cancer whereas the standard-of-care drug remains ineffective. This technology is promising as it could drastically improve survival chances in patients diagnosed with deadly brain cancers.” says Prof. Sarkar. 

As the fight against DIPG continues, Prof. Sarkar’s work stands as a beacon of hope, showcasing the transformative impact of nano-bioelectronics in medicine.