Scientists have used a combination of light-sensitive nano-sized biomaterials with
The idea of using lasers in treatmentcancer is not new. For these purposes, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is used - a method of treating cancer using a photosensitizing agent and special light that kills cancer cells. The effectiveness of laser therapy is determined by the depth of penetration of the laser into tissue, which in turn is determined by the shape and radius of the beam, the wavelength of the light used and the intensity of the laser.
With this in mind, scientists proposed to combine PDT withnanosized biomaterials that can make therapy very precise and targeted. They need to be photosensitive and work at specific wavelengths to allow more control over methods during therapy. As a result, such materials provide deeper penetration of light into tissues.
In cancer treatment, the depth of penetration of laser light into tissue is critical to determine therapeutic effectiveness.
Masoud Mozafari, co-author of the study,
employee of the Iranian University of Medical Sciences
Nano-sized material can not be usedonly as a light receiver. It can also be repurposed to perform other tasks, such as delivering chemotherapy drugs to tumor sites.
For example, scientists used gold nanorods tosurfaces of which the glycoprotein of the rabies virus was attached. Because this virus naturally infects the brain, the nanorods were able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and target the brain tumor. Because of the light from the laser, they began to generate localized heat, killing the tumor cells.
In the future, the technology could also be used to treat non-healing ulcers, atherosclerosis, and even dental infections, the researchers say.
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