| abstract |
Methods and devices for monitoring or modulating the immune system in a subject having cancer, and methods and devices for treating cancer in a subject are described. The implanted device is capable of electrically stimulating a splenic nerve in a subject, which modulates an inflammatory system (eg, increases or decreases inflammation in a subject, and/or one or more proinflammatory cytokines and/or by increasing or decreasing blood levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines) and/or the circulation of one or more immune cells (eg, natural killer cells and/or cytotoxic T-cells). The implanted medical device includes two or more electrodes configured to electrically stimulate a splenic nerve, and may further include an ultrasound transducer configured to receive ultrasound and convert energy of the ultrasound into electrical energy to power the device. |