A revolutionary new form of cancer therapy in development at Rice University and its licensee, Nanospectra Biosciences Inc., has proven effective at eradicating tumors in laboratory animals during the first phase of animal testing. The noninvasive cancer treatment uses a combination of harmless, near-infrared light and benign, gold nanoshells to destroy tumors with heat. The treatment does not affect healthy tissue. “We are extremely encouraged by the results of these first animal tests,” said Jennifer West, professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering. “These results confirm that nanoshells are effective agents for the photothermal treatment of in vivo tumors.” Results of the study are published in the June 25 issue of the journal Cancer Letters.
