Devices and methods for the treatment of cancer

1. An internal therapeutic product comprising: a silicon component comprising one or more of polycrystalline silicon and porous silicon, and an anti-cancer component comprising at least one cytotoxic drug, wherein the silicon component comprises at least one silicon microparticle, having a size in the range 0.1 to 100 microns and wherein the product is in the form of a suspension of microparticles.

2. An internal therapeutic product according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one silicon microparticle has a size in the range 20 to 50 microns.

3. An internal therapeutic product according to claim 1 , wherein the silicon component is polycrystalline silicon.

4. An internal therapeutic product according to claim 1 , wherein the silicon is non-derivatized silicon.

5. An internal therapeutic product according to claim 1 , wherein the silicon is derivatized porous silicon.

6. An internal therapeutic product according to claim 1 , wherein the internal therapeutic product comprises a cytotoxic drug selected from one or more of an alkylating agent such as cyclophosphamide, a cytotoxic antibody such as doxorubicin, an antimetabolite such as fluorouracil, a vinca alkaloid such as vinblastine, a hormonal regulator such as GNRH, and a platinum compound such as cis platin.

7. A method of treating cancer by brachytherapy, the method comprising: forming a therapeutic product which comprises a silicon component wherein the silicon component comprises polycrystalline silicon, doping the silicon component with a radionucleotide; and implanting the therapeutic product into the body of a human or animal, wherein the silicon component comprises at least one silicon microparticle, having a size in the range 0.1 to 100 microns wherein the product is in the form of a suspension of microparticies.

8. A method of treating cancer according to claim 7 , wherein the therapeutic product is implanted into an organ or a tissue or a tumour.

9. A method of treating cancer according to claim 7 , wherein the therapeutic product is implanted into an organ comprising a tumour.

10. A method of treating cancer according to claim 7 , wherein the therapeutic product is implanted into one or more of: a liver, a lung, a kidney, and a prostate.

11. A method of treating cancer according to claim 7 , wherein the therapeutic product is administered by subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, or epidermal techniques.

12. A method of treating cancer according to claim 7 , wherein the silicon is non-derivatized silicon.

13. A method of treating cancer according to claim 7 , wherein the radionucleotide comprises one or more of: 90 Y, 32 P, 124 Sb, 114 In, 59 Fe, 76 As, 140 La, 47 Ca, 103 Pd, 89 Sr, 131 I, 125 I, 60 Co, 192 Ir, 12 B, 71 Ge, 64 Cu, 203 Pb and 198 Au.

14. A method of treating cancer according to claim 13 , wherein the radionucleotide is 32 P.

15. An internal therapeutic product comprising: a silicon component comprising one or more of polycrystalline silicon and porous silicon, and an anti-cancer component comprising at least one cytotoxic drug, wherein the silicon component comprises at least one silicon microparticle, having a size in the range 0.1 to 100 microns and wherein the product is in the form of a suspension of microparticles and wherein the suspension of microparticles comprises a multiplicity of microparticles suspended in an isotonic solution.

16. An internal therapeutic product comprising: a silicon component comprising one or more of polycrystalline silicon and porous silicon, and an anti-cancer component comprising at least one cytotoxic drug, wherein the silicon component comprises at least one silicon microparticle, having a size in the range 0.1 to 100 microns and wherein the silicon component forms part of or at least part of: a powder, a suspension, a colloid, an aggregate, and/or a flocculate.

17. A method of treating cancer by brachytherapy, the method comprising: forming a therapeutic product which comprises a silicon component wherein the silicon component comprises polycrystalline silicon, doping the silicon component with a radionucleotide; and implanting the therapeutic product into the body of a human or animal, wherein the silicon component comprises at least one silicon microparticle, having a size in the range 0.1 to 100 microns wherein the product is in the form of a suspension of microparticles and wherein the suspension of microparticles is injected into an artery or vein connected to and/or located in an organ or organs in which the cancer is located.

18. A method of treating cancer by brachytherapy, the method comprising:

forming a therapeutic product which comprises a silicon component wherein the silicon component comprises polycrystalline silicon, doping the silicon component with a radionucleotide; and implanting the therapeutic product into the body of a human or animal, wherein the silicon component comprises at least one silicon microparticle, having a size in the range 0.1 to 100 microns wherein the product is in the form of a suspension of microparticles and wherein the suspension of microparticles is injected into the hepatic or celiac artery.