A ground-breaking study has demonstrated the clinical success of a new nanoparticle-based, laser-guided therapy for prostate cancer treatment.
The study, which involved 44 men with prostate cancer, used gold nanoshellss in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound fusion — an advanced technique that enhances MRI data — to precisely target and eliminate cancerous prostate tissue.
Gold nanoshells are tiny particles, thousands of times smaller than a human hair, that can be engineered to strongly absorb specific wavelengths of light and generate heat.
In this case, gold nanoshells were designed to accumulate in the tumours, allowing for highly targeted near-infrared laser treatment that heats and destroys the cancerous tissue while sparing surrounding healthy cells.
This innovative method, called nanoparticle-directed focal photothermal ablation, successfully eliminated cancerous cells in 73 per cent of patients after 12 months, as confirmed by negative biopsies in the treated areas.
Importantly, the treatment was able to achieve these results while preserving key functions, including urinary and sexual health, and without observed side effects, marking a significant improvement in the quality of life for patients.
University of Virginia’s Jennifer West
The University of Virginia’s Jennifer West, an author on the paper and inventor of the technology, said: “Our findings represent a major step forward in prostate cancer treatment. This therapy not only effectively eliminates cancerous cells but also preserves key quality-of-life factors, which is a huge win for patients.
“This study showcases the strength of interdisciplinary collaboration. Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer treatment, and it’s exciting to be at the forefront of this innovation.”
This new cancer treatment is being commercialised by Nanospectra Biosciences, a company co-founded by Dean West.
