Thanks to a strong collaborative effort, led by Dr. Muhammad A. Bulbul (MD '78), who is a professor at the Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, at the AUB Medical Center (AUBMC), AUB was able to purchase a new technology, the NanoKnife System (Irreversible Electroporation), through donations from friends and patients of Dr. Bulbul. The NanoKnife is used for the treatment of selected patients with localized prostate cancer, the most common type of cancer in men.
The technology was recently used to treat two prostate cancer patients at AUBMC. “They were treated and left the hospital on the same day," said Bulbul. “I saw them in follow up three days later and they were doing very well." The NanoKnife technology involves the generation of high voltage electric current through special electrodes placed around the tumor that causes irreversible electroporation of the cell membrane that leads to cancer cell death while preserving other structures.
Establishing a Focal Therapy Program at AUBMC, the first in the region, offering this type of cancer treatment to selected patients with localized prostate cancer and other solid tumors is in line with AUBMC's mission to be at the cutting edge. “This would not have been possible without donor support," said Associate Vice President for Development Walid Katergi. “We are especially grateful to Dr. Bulbul who started the fundraising and invited his patients and friends to support this important initiative. In addition, we are grateful to Trustee Mu'taz Al-Sawaf, who has been a strong and generous supporter of this program from the beginning."