Rice University researchers have developed “molecular jackhammers” that use rapid vibrations to infiltrate the body and kill cancer cells. The study, led by research scientist Ciceron Ayala-Orozco, destroyed human melanoma cells with 99 percent effectiveness in lab cultures and successfully treated mice with tumors.
Photo from Rice News
Rice’s ‘Molecular Jackhammers’ Revolutionize Treatment with Light and Dyes
Medical imaging dyes are used in the molecular jackhammer concept. When activated by near-infrared light, these dyes’ atoms vibrate billions of times per second, which can safely penetrate the body, killing cancer cells. Ayala-Orozco sees this novel method as a viable addition to surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
With human trials pending, Ayala-Orozco believes the molecular jackhammer could be helpful against solid cancers. A startup wants to license Rice University IP to speed development and commercialization.
Unlike molecular machines, the newly found jackhammers move 10 million times faster than equivalent motors. Their activation by near-infrared light permits deeper bodily penetration than conventional devices, allowing cancer treatment to reach more areas.
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Cancer Treatment: ‘Molecular Jackhammers’ Offer New Hope, Potential Breakthrough in Therapy
The dye might be focused on a tumor to destroy all its cells. Ayala-Orozco recommends jackhammer treatment with chemotherapy or immunotherapy for extensive cancer. The jackhammer’s capacity to expose malignant material to the immune system may improve immunotherapy.
Prostate, pancreatic, colon, and breast malignancies were tested in human lab cultures. Ayala-Orozco and his team want more money for cancer research and animal studies. Scientists and patients worldwide are interested in this breakthrough cancer-fighting strategy after the promising findings.
As the research continues, Ayala-Orozco expects additional questions from scientists and patients interested in this unique and potentially transformative cancer treatment.
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