The combination of therapy which promises to fight cancer

A variety of cancer therapies have been developed to find the most effective therapy for cancer patients. A new study suggests the drug can be attached to cancer cells. Then the drug is activated by exposure to certain light waves. The results of these studies have been published in Nature Medicine.

The treatment method can only be targeted at cancer cells only and does not damage surrounding tissue. A cancer foundation says that these treatment methods can be effectively used as a promising cancer treatment.

In this study, researchers at the National Cancer Institute, Maryland, 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 wavelength of light can penetrate several centimetres into the skin.

To test the antibody-chemical combination, researchers implanted tumours, squamous cell carcinoma, into the backs of mice. They were given the drug and exposed to near infrared light.

The study said: "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 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.

Dr Laura McCallum, Cancer Research UK's science communications officer, 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.

"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."