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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 16, 2014 4:42 PM IST
Researchers have developed a new technology that could bring photodynamic therapy (PDT), which uses lasers to activate special drugs to treat easily accessible tumours such as oral and skin cancer, into areas of the body which were previously inaccessible. The procedure, till now, has not been adept at fighting cancer deep inside the body. The approach involves using near-infrared beams of light that, upon penetrating deep into the body, are converted into visible light that activates the drug and destroys the tumour. (Read: New drug could help revolutionize cancer treatment)
'We expect this will vastly expand the application for an effective cancer phototherapy that is already in use,' said Tymish Ohulchanskyy, associate professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo. The researchers used the tumour's natural environment to tune the light into necessary wavelengths. For example, the near-infrared laser beam can interact with the natural protein collagen, which is found in connective tissues. The interaction changes the near-infrared light to visible light, a process known as second harmonic generation. (Read: Psorinum therapy new cheap cancer treatment method?)
Likewise, natural proteins and lipids within the cells can interact with near-infrared laser light and change it to visible light through another process called four-wave mixing. Thus, visible light can be generated in tumours deep inside the body, and it can be absorbed by the drug. This activates the drug, which then destroys the tumour, researchers said. The study appeared in the journal Nature Photonics. (Read: The latest advances in cancer treatments)
What is cancer?
Cancer is a group of over one hundred diseases characterized by abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth. In a healthy body cells grow, die and are replaced in a very controlled way. Damage or change in the genetic material of cells by environmental or internal factors result in cells that don't die and continue to multiply until a massive cancer or a tumour develops. Most cancer related deaths are due to metastasis, malignant cells that penetrate into the circulatory system and establish colonies in other parts of the body. Great advancements have been made but cancer is still leading cause of death for people under 85. (Read:Cancer your most common queries answered by an expert)
With inputs from ANI
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