Doctors shared the challenges of helping their young patients with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, with Anamika Prasad. In the majority of cases, treatment requires a highly complicated surgery to remove sections of tumor-riddled bone. Implants made of metal or other sturdy manmade materials can be a good replacement option for adults. But not kids with still-growing bones. Securing a limb could stunt its growth, resulting in one arm or leg becoming shorter than the other.
Leveraging her background in materials science and civil engineering, Prasad is on a mission to find innovative solutions. She’s developing a unique ‘scaffold’ implant design adapted to children’s unique needs. Similar to temporary scaffolding that supports construction workers, these 3D-printed structures made of FDA-approved material will provide places for bone cells to cling and climb on, so they can build bone over time.
Prasad works closely with Dr. Juan Prettel, chief of musculoskeletal oncology surgery at Baptist Health, on this research. With support from the Casey DeSantis Florida Cancer Innovation Fund through the Florida Department of Health, they received a big boost to develop a cost-effective, streamlined framework. To get started, Prasad will use patient image data to generate the individualized, made-to-fit 3D designs on a computer.
Anamika Prasad
Associate Professor, College of Engineering & Computing
“My dream is to revolutionize pediatric osteosarcoma treatment and have more engineers sitting with doctors in a hospital, working together to design efficient, affordable solutions for patients.”