Dr. Rajah Vijay Kumar, a Bengaluru-based scientist, spent 32 years developing Cytotron—a device originally created for cancer treatment.  Today, it’s also showing promising results in treating neurological disorders like cerebral palsy.

Cytotron works by altering protein pathways in cells. In cancer treatment, it stops tumor cells from multiplying and spreading, effectively slowing down disease progression.

In 2019, Cytotron received a 'breakthrough device' designation from the US FDA for cancer care. The device communicates with cellular command and control, pushing cancer cells into accelerated ageing rather than destroying them.

International approvals The device has received approvals from multiple international bodies: - Medical Devices Directive  (MDD) of the European Council - SFDA in the Middle East - COFEPRIS in South America - CDSCO approval in India for specific conditions

Netflix connection A recent Netflix film tells the story of one of Cytotron’s earliest patients, treated around 2017-18. As Dr. Rajah shares, “This movie you’re seeing is based on one of the first patients who received treatment at that time.”

Cerebral palsy trials Cytotron has been studied for cerebral palsy for over a decade. While research paused during COVID-19, trials resumed in 2022 and were recently completed.

How it helps cerebral palsy patients For conditions like cerebral palsy, Cytotron helps regenerate neural progenitor cells and improves brain connectivity. Treatment results typically show significant improvement over a one-year period.

Current status While Dr Rajah estimates "in about 8 to 12 months, this should be available in countries like India, USA, and Mexico," it's important to understand that the device is still undergoing regulatory processes. The treatment requires proper clinical approvals and is not yet available for general public use.

Future possibilities for newborns Looking ahead, research suggests potential applications for newborns. As the doctor explains, "Newborn babies can be scanned within 30-40 days to find if there is any research on the way for them to grow."

In India, the device was previously estimated to cost between ₹2.5 to ₹3 crore. Current pricing and accessibility models are being developed for wider implementation.

The Cytotron treatment is currently not clinically available.  However, for those interested in staying informed about developments and future clinical trials, you can reach out to: cytotron.clinical@scalene.co 

The road ahead: The development team is working on: - Publishing comprehensive clinical trial data - Establishing treatment centres - Training medical professionals - Making the technology accessible to more patients