Drug sponge could minimize side effects of cancer treatment

Catheters are used today to deliver drugs directly to tumors to avoid broadcasting toxic chemotherapy agents throughout the body. Nevertheless, half of the drug can escape to the rest of the body, causing side effects. Doctors treating liver cancer teamed up with chemical engineers to design a polymer-coated device that can be temporarily placed in the vein coming out of the liver to absorb unused drugs, potentially lowering risk.