New non-invasive therapy approach shows anti-cancer potential

Inoperable or hard-to-reach tumours could be treated more effectively following the development of a new non-invasive treatment technique.

The research from the University of Texas at San Antonio utilised a chemical compound, nitrobenzaldehyde, which was injected into tumours before a beam of light was shone on the tissue, causing the cells to become acidic and die.

Within two hours, up to 95 percent of the targeted cancer cells were shown to have died, with a test involving mice affected by triple-negative breast cancer showing this treatment was able to stop the tumour from growing, doubling the chances of survival in mice after one treatment.

Because of the innovative, non-invasive nature of this treatment approach, it could not only aid the management of resilient forms of cancer, but also of young children affected by the disease.

Matthew Gdovin, an associate professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Biology, said: "There are so many types of cancer for which the prognosis is very poor. We're thinking outside the box and finding a way to do what for many people is simply impossible."