A glimmer of hope in the fight against cancer is emerging from laboratories, where research teams are studying an original approach: the combination of light and metallic nanoparticles. This ingenious method aims to localize the destructive effect solely on tumor cells, thereby sparing healthy tissues and significantly reducing the usual side effects of conventional treatments.
The concept relies on an innovative idea: using light as a trigger to activate "nano-heaters" precisely inside tumors. Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Porto have implemented this approach by creating nanoscopic sheets of tin oxide, capable of converting infrared light into localized heat. This combination opens up the prospect of more precise, less invasive, and potentially more accessible treatments.
How localized therapy works
The originality lies in the use of tin oxide "nanoflakes," microscopic structures specifically designed to capture light in the near-infrared spectrum. This wavelength has the particularity of passing through biological tissues without causing significant damage. Once illuminated, these nanoflakes function as energy converters, transforming light photons into heat with notable efficiency, approaching 93%. This mechanism produces targeted hyperthermia directly in contact with cancer cells.
The activation of these nanoparticles is achieved not by lasers, but by simple light-emitting diodes. LED systems emit softer and more homogeneous light than lasers, reducing the risk of burns to surrounding healthy tissues. Their modest cost and ease of use could, in the long term, expand access to this technology. Cellular tests have verified excellent tolerance with healthy cells.
The specificity of the treatment is explained by the particular fragility of cancer cells to heat. Their rapid metabolism and less efficient cellular repair systems make them sensitive to controlled hyperthermia. During laboratory experiments, 30 minutes of exposure eliminated 92% of melanoma cells, while healthy skin cells remained preserved. This precision radically differentiates this method from conventional chemotherapies.
Clinical applications and prospects
The most direct applications concern cancers accessible by light, such as melanomas or other skin tumors. Researchers envision the development of portable LED devices, similar to patches, that could be applied directly to the treated area after surgery. This tactic would eliminate remaining cancer cells, thereby significantly reducing the risk of local recurrence while facilitating postoperative follow-up for patients.
Economic and technical accessibility represents another important strength of this technology. The required elements – light-emitting diodes and tin oxide – are economical and easily accessible. Their combination paves the way for treatments potentially usable in medically underserved areas, where access to sophisticated therapies remains limited. This dissemination could represent a significant advancement in global oncology.
Development directions include adapting the treatment to deeper cancers, such as those of the breast or colon. Scientists are currently examining the optimization of light exposure parameters and considering other materials with comparable photothermal characteristics. The combination of this therapy with other methods, such as immunotherapy, also represents an encouraging direction for amplifying antitumor effects while maintaining a high level of safety.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND