A new cancer treatment relies on shining a spectrum of light on tumors

 

A cancer treatment using a spectrum of light on tumors 

Scientific breakthrough: A safe treatment kills cancer cells using light

American researchers have introduced a new light-based treatment that is expected to revolutionize cancer treatment methods. It uses near-infrared light to kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

This innovation opens the door to combination therapies, as the heat generated by light can make cancer cells more susceptible to immunotherapy or targeted drugs by weakening their membranes and stimulating a natural immune response against the tumor. 

Although the technology is still in its early stages, researchers are working to improve it and study its effectiveness on other types of cancer, such as breast and colon cancer. Implantable systems are also being developed that provide continuous photothermal control within the body.

Unlike conventional treatments, photothermal therapy does not cause systemic damage or organ toxicity and is expected to reduce pain and recovery time. Although further clinical research is needed, LED-based phototherapy could revolutionize cancer treatment, making treatments more precise, less expensive, and more humane. 

According to Science Alert, this discovery represents a significant advancement in photothermal therapy, a technique that uses near-infrared LED light to heat and destroy tumors.

This approach relies on inexpensive and readily available systems instead of specialized lasers, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue and opening the way for a safer, less invasive alternative to chemotherapy or radiation. 

The innovation is based on the idea of ​​using a spectrum of light to generate localized heat that targets and destroys cancer cells, safely penetrating vital tissue. Healthy tissue is largely unaffected, as it is not highly sensitive to heat. This level of precision holds great promise for treating various types of cancers through light exposure.