According to the WHO, every fifth man and every sixth woman develop cancer. Today, it’s becoming possible to treat even the most severe forms of this disease, liver cancer, stomach cancer, and brain cancer. Scientists at the National Nuclear Research University MEPhI (NRNU MEPhI) have spoken about their unique developments in this area.
According to NRNU MEPhI specialists, photodynamic therapy (PDT) is one of the most effective and safe cancer treatment methods. It’s widely used to combat malignant tumours of the skin, oropharynx, liver, lungs, brain, urinary bladder, and GIT organs.
PDT is based on using photosensitisers, substances that increase biological tissues’ photosensitivity. At the preparatory stage of therapy, the photosensitiser accumulates in the tumour tissue. By treating the accumulation foci with a laser, reactive oxygen intermediates appear in tumour cells, triggering their necrosis, apoptosis, or stopping the cell cycle and restarting it in a “healthy” mode.
Accuracy Comes First
One of the main problems of PTD cancer treatment is that it’s hard to accurately determine the tumour boundaries. Possible inaccuracy can result in the incomplete processing of cancer cells, leading to a relapse.
To solve this problem, NRNU MEPhI scientists have created a unique endoscopic video fluorescence system that allows photosensitiser accumulation foci to be visualised in hard-to-reach areas in head and neck cancer.
Sputnik