A team of British researchers has developed a light-based approach to treating brain cancer. This combines a fluorescent agent to guide surgeons to the tumor, and near infrared light to eliminate it.
A formidable anti-cancer combination
The new procedure relies on a common technique known as fluorescence-assisted surgery “. The latter consists of introduce a fluorescent agent into the body, combined with a synthetic molecule that binds to a specific protein, such as those expressed by cancer cells. Under certain lighting or imaging conditions, the tumor will thus become shinyallowing surgeons to remove affected cells with much more precision.
In the context of work recently published in the journal BMC Medicinescientists from theLondon Institute of Cancer Research have added an extra molecule so that the light can both be used to target and destroy cancer cells. This binds to a protein called EGFRoften mutated in cases of glioblastomaa cancer of the brain.
After using fluorescence to remove most of the tumor, surgeons can project near-infrared light at the site so that the compound releases reactive oxygen species to destroy the tumor. The idea is to kill any remaining cells that could (and unfortunately often do) lead to post-operative recurrence.
Very promising initial results
In tests performed on mice with glioblastoma, researchers found that rodents treated with the new technique exhibited clear signs of tumor death just one hour after exposure to near infrared light. The treatment also allowed the animals’ immune systems to launch a new assault on the remaining cancer cells, which could contribute to reduce the risk of recurrence.
” This new photoimmunotherapy treatment, combining fluorescent labeling, a specific protein and near-infrared light, can both target and destroy remaining glioblastoma cells in mice “, details Gabriela Kramer-Mareklead author of the study.
” In the future, we hope that such an approach can be used to treat human glioblastoma and potentially other types of cancers.. »
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