Breakthrough in skin cancer
Published: November 1, 2006
A revolutionary new “sticking plaster” skin cancer treatment which is less painful and can be used by patients in their homes has been developed by Scottish researchers.
It is also believed that the technology could be used for anti-ageing treatments.
The incidence of skin cancer is growing rapidly and will affect 10% of Scots – around 500,000 of the current population – in their lifetime.
Existing treatment can involve surgical removal of the lesion, causing scarring and the risk of infection.
The alternative is to treat the lesions with light combined with a suitable pharmaceutical cream, a procedure called photodynamic therapy (PDT).
However, current PDT involves large, cumbersome and intense light sources and the patient must sit or lie still under them for several hours in a hospital cubicle.
The new treatment is likened to having a sticking plaster connected to an iPod.
The breakthrough is the brainchild of St Andrews University physicist Professor Ifor Samuel and dermatology consultant Professor James Ferguson, head of the photobiology unit at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.
The pair teamed up four years ago to combine their expertise in photo-physics and photodynamic therapy and create a new way of treating skin cancer. The result is a “light bandage” which is powered by a pocket-sized battery and is so portable patients can go about their daily business while under treatment.
“By adapting the latest technology to an existing treatment method, we have developed a compact light source for treating common skin cancers,” said Professor Samuel. “It can be worn by the patient in a similar way to a sticking plaster, while the battery is carried like an iPod.”
The light is generated by an organic light-emitting diode and is a spin-off from Professor Samuel’s work on advanced displays. “It’s very exciting to have developed a new technology that helps treat skin cancer patients,” he said.
Professor Ferguson added: “This device will have a major impact on the treatment of skin cancers. Initial pilot trials have already shown its effectiveness and we find patients requesting this treatment over conventional methods.”
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