Oct 21 2010
University of California’s researchers are studying novel techniques to image cancerous lesions by utilizing LEDs. The study may help advance a cancer treatment technique known as photodynamic therapy (PDT).
During photodynamic therapy, photosensitizing chemicals are injected into a tumour that is subjected to light. The photosensitizing chemicals generally absorb light. In the photodynamic therapy, the light energy enables the chemicals to produce oxygen radicals to kill the cancerous cells.
According to Rolf Saager, who works at the UC Irvine’s Beckman Laser Institute, the new imaging technique would offer a better map to target and optimize the PDT for a common type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma. At present, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the photodynamic therapy for treating lung and esophageal cancer.
The next stage of the experiment is to facilitate the therapeutic features of the instrument and examine the tissue dynamics during the photodynamic therapy regimens.
Scientists will present the study details at the OSA annual meeting, FiO 2010 in Rochester.
Source: http://www.uci.edu