Lamp Light Operative Photodynamic Molecules Designed To Kill Cancer Tumors Discovered

Scientists designed a lamp light operative photodynamic molecules for tumor therapy. The concept uses a new class of molecules in photodynamic therapy that could direct lamp light deep into tissue to eliminate the cancer tumors.

The descriptions of the discovery were printed in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. It was led by Dr. Gang Han, Ph.D., an associate professor of biochemistry and molecular pharmacology from UMass Medical School and other colleagues. Dr. Han said that the study indicates a major step forward in photodynamic therapy by developing a new class of NIR-absorbing biodegradable organic nanoparticles for a highly effective targeting and treatment of deep-tissue tumors.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) also known as photoradiation therapy uses special drugs known as photosensitizing agents together with light to eradicate cancer cells. The drug is then put into the bloodstream through a vein or put on the skin, which is then absorbed by the cancer cells. Once absorbed, the light is applied to the area that needs to be treated. The light then triggers that drug to react with oxygen and shapes chemicals that eliminate the cancer cells.

In the new research, the process will be simpler, more effective and cost efficient. Dr. Han explained that Car-BDP molecules could create organic nanoparticles that are water-soluble and tumor targetable. These could be used with the incoherent lamp light instead of using the coherent high-powered laser light. The molecules could then be monitored as they spread in the body, deep into the tissue and to outline and eradicate cancer tumors.

Furthermore, these organic nanoparticles have extremely long circulating time and are removed from the body. This is needed for new practical photodynamic therapy drug development.

This could be effective for treating colon, lung, breast and prostate cancers, according to Dr. Han. This discovery could also allow for future affordable clinical cancer treatment for patients that are treated and managed at homes, battlefields and in developing countries, according to Phys.org.