Innovative Light-Based Cancer Treatment
A groundbreaking scientific breakthrough has emerged from a partnership between the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Porto in Portugal, through the Austin-Portugal Program. This collaboration aims to make light-based cancer treatments more accessible and cost-effective. Current versions of these treatments rely on expensive materials, specialized lab settings, and powerful lasers that can sometimes damage surrounding tissues. By transitioning to LED lights and introducing tin-based “nano snack chips,” researchers have developed a safer and more affordable alternative.
New Technology in the Fight Against Cancer
According to Professor Jean Anne Incorvia from the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas, the primary goal of the project is to provide a treatment that is effective, safe, and accessible. Using LED light and nano chips, a method has been developed that precisely targets cancer cells while sparing healthy cells.
In a recent study published in the ACS Nano journal, the technology demonstrated high efficacy against skin cancer and colorectal cancer cells. After just 30 minutes of exposure, the LED-based treatment destroyed up to 92% of skin cancer cells and 50% of colorectal cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells unharmed.
A Safer Alternative to Traditional Treatments
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death worldwide, and many current treatments come with severe side effects. Scientists around the globe are exploring new ways to make treatments safer and more precise. One of the most promising approaches is near-infrared photothermal therapy, which uses light to heat and destroy cancer cells without the need for surgery or toxic drugs.
Researchers have shown strong preliminary results and are now working to understand how light and heat interact in this process, as well as testing other materials that might enhance the treatment. They also plan to design practical medical devices that can deliver the treatment directly to patients.
Bringing Light-Based Cancer Care to Patients
Researcher Artur Pinto from the University of Porto states that the ultimate goal is to make this technology available to patients everywhere, especially in areas where access to specialized equipment is limited, while reducing side effects and costs. For skin cancers in particular, it is envisioned that the treatment could one day move from the hospital to the patient’s home, where a portable device could be placed on the skin after surgery to irradiate and destroy any remaining cancer cells, reducing the risk of recurrence.
The collaboration between Incorvia and Pinto began through the Austin-Portugal Program in 2021, and since then, they have exchanged visits between Texas and Portugal, combining their expertise to explore how two-dimensional materials can be used to develop cancer treatments.
Expanding Research Horizons
Based on their successes, the team recently secured additional funding to create an implant for breast cancer patients using the same LED and nano chip technology. Their continued collaboration may pave the way for more personalized, economical, and pain-free cancer treatments in the near future.
Conclusion
The collaboration between the University of Texas and the University of Porto marks a significant step towards developing safer and more effective cancer treatments. By utilizing advanced technologies like LED lights and nano chips, researchers aim to provide therapeutic solutions that could transform the future of healthcare for patients worldwide. With a focus on reducing costs and side effects, this research opens new avenues for cancer treatment and works towards making advanced therapies accessible to all, fostering hope for improving patients’ lives.