Researchers Develop Promising Cancer Treatment Using Affordable and Accessible "LED" Light
A recent scientific study revealed a revolutionary therapeutic approach for cancer, based on the use of common "LED" light to destroy tumors with high precision, opening new horizons for safer and more effective treatments.
Researchers explained that this technique uses light close to the infrared spectrum to generate localized heat that eliminates cancer cells while preserving the surrounding healthy tissues from any damage.
In this context, the "Science Alert" website noted that "this discovery represents an important advancement in photothermal therapy, a technique that relies on 'LED' light close to infrared to heat and precisely destroy tumors".
This approach is characterized by relying on inexpensive and widely available light systems, rather than specialized and expensive laser devices. This not only reduces costs but also minimizes damage to surrounding tissues, making it a safer and less invasive alternative compared to traditional chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
The mechanism relies on exploiting the sensitivity of cancer cells to heat, where the light spectrum generates localized heat that destroys them, while most healthy tissues remain unaffected due to their relatively low sensitivity to heat.
The role of this innovation is not limited to direct treatment, but it is expected to pave the way for combination therapies. The heat generated by the light can make cancer cells more susceptible to immunotherapy or targeted drugs by weakening their membranes and stimulating a natural immune response in the body to attack the tumor.
Although the technology is still in its early experimental stages, researchers are working on developing it and studying its effectiveness on other types of cancer, such as breast and colon cancer. There is also work underway to develop internal systems that can be implanted in the body, allowing for continuous and direct photothermal control.
One of the most significant advantages of this treatment is that it is free from "systemic damage and toxicity caused by traditional therapies", with expectations that it will significantly reduce pain and recovery time for patients.
While the scientific community emphasizes the need for more clinical research to approve it, scientists believe that "LED-based phototherapy could bring about a qualitative shift in cancer treatment, making it more precise, less costly, and more humane".
