In a new study, researchers found a new way to detect and attack cancer cells using technology traditionally reserved for solar power.
The finding showcases dramatic improvements in light-activated fluorescent dyes for disease diagnosis, image-guided surgery, and site-specific tumor treatment.
The research was conducted by a team from Michigan State University.
Before this study, fluorescent dyes used for therapeutics and diagnostics, aka “theranostics,” had shortcomings, such as low brightness, high toxicity to cells, poor tissue penetration and unwanted side effects.
The team tuned organic salt nanoparticles used as theranostics and were able to control them in a range of cancer studies.
The found that coaxing the nanoparticles into the nontoxic zone resulted in enhanced imaging while pushing them into the phototoxic—or light-activated—range produced effective on-site tumor treatment.
The researchers tested this method in breast, lung cancer and skin cancer cell lines and mouse models, and so far it is looking remarkably promising.
Future research will work to improve the theranostics’ effectiveness, decrease toxicity and reduce side effects.
While the cancer applications hold the most possibility, their findings have potential beyond the field of oncology.
This work has the potential to transform fluorescent probes for broad societal impact through applications ranging from biomedicine to photocatalysis—the acceleration of chemical reactions with light.
The researchers have applied for a patent for their work, and they’re looking forward to eventually pushing their photoactive molecule findings through clinical trials.
One author of the study is Sophia Lunt, MSU biochemistry and molecular biologist
The study is published in the current issue of Scientific Reports.
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