A New Light-Based Cancer Treatment Kills Tumor Cells and Spares Healthy Ones
Researchers have developed a new therapy combining LED technology and nanomaterials to eliminate cancer cells with localized heat while preserving healthy tissue.
Challenges in Current Cancer Treatments
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, although effective, attack both cancer and healthy cells, causing severe side effects for patients. The search for safer alternatives remains a critical field in cancer research.
Innovative Approach Using Nanomaterials and Near-Infrared Light
A collaborative team from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Porto, Portugal, has advanced an alternative therapy. They created tin oxide (SnOx) nanoflakes—ultra-thin particles under 20 nanometers thick—that efficiently convert near-infrared (NIR) light into heat.
Mechanism of Photothermal Therapy
Photothermal therapy is a noninvasive treatment that destroys cancer cells by heating them. It involves introducing light-absorbing materials into cancerous tissues, which convert light into heat to target tumors precisely.
Their research, published in ACS Nano, demonstrates how SnOx nanoflakes can accumulate in tumors and convert NIR light into localized heat, selectively killing cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.
Implications
This study offers promising new directions for designing safe, targeted cancer treatments that minimize side effects by sparing healthy cells.
Author's summary: This therapy uses tin oxide nanoflakes activated by near-infrared light to selectively heat and destroy tumor cells, offering a safer, targeted alternative to traditional cancer treatments.