New treatment method thwarts cancer using photodynamic therapy

Borovlyany, Belarus-- Belarusian scientists recently developed a new method to destroy cancerous tumors, which is based on innovative photodynamic therapy (PDT) of oncological illnesses by the structures similar to the chemical compound of biological molecules and semiconductor nanocrystal, claims Prof. Sergey Gaponenko, the head of the Laboratory of Nanophotonics of the Institute of Physics of the NAS.

The obtained compound is injected directly into the tumor, which then is irradiated by laser light of a specific wavelength. Under the chemical process run by the structure, it destroys the malignant tumor, according to BelaPAN. The medicine Fotolon, which is necessary for the treatment, is produced by RUE Belmedpreparaty.

However, this treatment process does not apply to all patients, according to Prof. Gaponenko. In many cases, the delivery of synthetic structure requires surgery, such as for treatment of brain or bladder tumors; both of which would be a difficult process.

But several hundred patients in Borovlyany, Belarus, have already been treated with the innovative photodynamic method, Prof. Gaponenko said.

Source: telegraf.by/2010/06/belarusian-scientists-invent-new-method-to-fight-against-cancer.html