London: Scientists claim to have discovered a "promising" tool in the fight against cancer -- light, which could lead to a highly targeted treatment without damaging the surrounding tissues.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute in Maryland showed how a drug could be created which sticks to tumours, but is only activated when hit by specific waves of light.
Currently, treatments for cancer can be separated into three categories: blasting it with radiation, surgically removing a tumour or using drugs to kill the cancerous cells.
All have side effects and scientists are trying to come up with more precise therapies.
In this study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, the researchers used an antibody which targets proteins on the surface of cancerous cells.
They then attached a chemical, IR700, to the antibody. IR700 is activated when it is hit by near infrared light. This wave of light can penetrate several centimetres into the skin.
To test the antibody-chemical combination, researchers implanted tumours, squamous cell carinoma, into the backs of mice. They were given the drug and exposed to near infrared light, the BBC reported.
"Tumour volume was significantly reduced... compared to untreated control mice and survival was significantly prolonged. This selective killing minimises damage to normal cells," the authors said.
They said the combination was "a promising therapeutic and diagnostic agent for the treatment of cancer".
"Although we observed no toxicity in our experiments, clinical translation of this method will require formal toxicity studies," they added.
A cancer charity in Britain said the treatment showed early promise.
Dr Laura McCallum, Science Communications Officer at the Cancer Research UK, said the research was promising.
"Using antibodies or photodynamic therapy to specifically target cancer cells have both been successful for treating some cancers, so combining the two together is certainly an exciting plan, Dr McCallum said.
"But it`s important to remember that this work was done in mice, so it`s much too early to tell if it will work in people with cancer.
"This potential treatment has promise as scientists - including our own - are also looking at using antibodies to deliver other knockout punches, such as radiation, directly to cancer cells."
PTI
