Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Porto in Portugal have made a breakthrough in the fight against cancer with a new light-based therapy that kills tumor cells without damaging healthy ones. The treatment uses tiny particles called nanoflakes, which are infused into cancer cells and then targeted with near-infrared (NIR) light to produce heat that destroys the cancer.
The team developed materials capable of converting NIR efficiently and safely into this targeted heat, using tin oxide (SnOx) nanoflakes. These nanoflakes have a thickness of less than 20 nanometers and are designed to accumulate specifically in tumor tissues. When exposed to light at a wavelength that gives these materials the energy they need to produce cancer-killing heat, the SnOx nanoflakes turn this non-invasive procedure into a targeted treatment.
The researchers tested their new material on skin cancer cells and found that it killed up to 92% of them within just 30 minutes. The treatment also showed promise against colorectal cancer, killing 50% of the cancer cells with the same exposure time.
One of the lead authors, Jean Anne Incorvia, said that their goal was to create a treatment that is both effective and safe and accessible for patients everywhere. With the combination of LED light and SnOx nanoflakes, they have developed a method to precisely target cancer cells while leaving healthy ones untouched.
Further studies are still needed, but this breakthrough could potentially make photothermal therapy a viable option for cancer patients. According to researchers Artur Pinto from the University of Porto's School of Engineering, their technology could one day be used in a portable device placed on the skin after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells, thus reducing the risk of recurrence.
The development of this new treatment is significant because it offers a safer alternative to traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Unlike these treatments, which can harm both cancer cells and healthy ones, the SnOx nanoflakes-based therapy seems to be highly selective in its targeting of cancer cells.
The team developed materials capable of converting NIR efficiently and safely into this targeted heat, using tin oxide (SnOx) nanoflakes. These nanoflakes have a thickness of less than 20 nanometers and are designed to accumulate specifically in tumor tissues. When exposed to light at a wavelength that gives these materials the energy they need to produce cancer-killing heat, the SnOx nanoflakes turn this non-invasive procedure into a targeted treatment.
The researchers tested their new material on skin cancer cells and found that it killed up to 92% of them within just 30 minutes. The treatment also showed promise against colorectal cancer, killing 50% of the cancer cells with the same exposure time.
One of the lead authors, Jean Anne Incorvia, said that their goal was to create a treatment that is both effective and safe and accessible for patients everywhere. With the combination of LED light and SnOx nanoflakes, they have developed a method to precisely target cancer cells while leaving healthy ones untouched.
Further studies are still needed, but this breakthrough could potentially make photothermal therapy a viable option for cancer patients. According to researchers Artur Pinto from the University of Porto's School of Engineering, their technology could one day be used in a portable device placed on the skin after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells, thus reducing the risk of recurrence.
The development of this new treatment is significant because it offers a safer alternative to traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Unlike these treatments, which can harm both cancer cells and healthy ones, the SnOx nanoflakes-based therapy seems to be highly selective in its targeting of cancer cells.
. $10 million+ spent on R&D? That's just not cool 
. And what about the logistics of getting these nanoflakes into actual patients? Not exactly a walk-in-the-park, is it? 
Still, I suppose it's better than nothing...
This breakthrough is like, totally amazing 
! I mean, think about it - we're talking cancer treatment that's not only effective but also super safe and non-invasive 
. The fact that these nanoflakes can specifically target tumor tissues without harming healthy cells is just mind-blowing 
. It's like, the future of cancer treatment is here already 
! I'm so excited to see this tech being developed into a portable device that can be used after surgery 
. This could be a game-changer for patients everywhere 
. And let's not forget, it's a safer alternative to those harsh chemo and radiation treatments 
. Can't wait to hear more about the progress on this! 
but no, instead its gonna be some fancy lab equipment thingy and a bunch of researchers talking about their breakthroughs 
what's next, are they gonna patent this in 2030 too? 
like, we've been waiting for a miracle for ages, right? but seriously, this new light-based therapy thingy sounds pretty promising 
. nanoflakes are basically tiny particles that can be targeted at cancer cells with near-infrared light, which makes them heat up and die 
. and the best part is that it's non-invasive, so no surgery or chemo required 
. i mean, who wouldn't want to avoid a lifetime of meds and hair loss? 
anyway, fingers crossed this tech actually makes it to patients soon 
The idea of using tiny particles to target cancer cells with heat is like something out of a sci-fi movie. I'm glad that scientists are working on making this technology more accessible and safe for patients everywhere. The fact that it's non-invasive and can be done without damaging healthy cells is a huge plus.
. And let's not forget the cost factor – this new treatment could potentially save the government money in the long run by reducing hospitalization costs and minimizing side effects. It's a win-win for everyone involved 
researchers have found a way to kill tumor cells without harming healthy ones which is total game changer 
️ near-infrared light does the trick & it's all non invasive too no more chemo or radiation for patients 
Plus, it's not invasive at all - just some LED light on the skin and voilà! Cancer-killing nanoflakes do their thing. The fact that this could reduce the risk of cancer recurrence after surgery is a major win 
. Of course, more research needs to be done, but for now, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this tech makes it to hospitals soon 
According to the study, 92% of skin cancer cells were killed within just 30 minutes! 
. fingers crossed they can make this tech portable one day so we can use it in hospitals or even at home after surgery 
and the best part is that it's non-invasive, which means less risk of side effects for patients. can you imagine having a portable device placed on the skin after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells 
that would be amazing!