Sticking Plaster Cure For Skin Cancer
Published: November 2, 2006
Skin cancer patients could be cured by wearing a sticking plaster that emits light.
The new bandage has been developed by scientists in Scotland who say it will revolutionise the treatment of the disease. It has already undergone successful human trials.
The device comprising a portable light source powered by a pocket-sized battery not only reduces pain but has the potential to be used by patients in their own home.
It is the brainchild of physicist Professor Ifor Samuel and dermatology consultant Professor James Ferguson and took them four years to create.
The ‘light bandage’ contains its own light source and is so portable that patients can go about their daily business while under treatment.
Professor Samuel, of the University of St Andrews, said: “By adapting the latest technology to an existing treatment method, we have developed a compact light source for treating common skin cancers. 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 (OLED) and is a spin off of Professor Samuel’s work on advanced displays. He said: “It is very exciting to be have developed a new technology that helps treat skin cancer patients.”
The device uses photodynamic therapy (PDT) in which a photosensitive drug is activated by a light source which destroys the diseased cells. PDT treatment avoids the scarring associated with surgical removal of the tumour and the need for an in-patient hospital stay.
OLEDs consist of a thin film of organic material sandwiched between two electrical contacts and emit light
uniformly over large surface areas whilst operating at low voltages using simple batteries. They are cheap to process especially in mass production, and are also flat or even flexible while being lightweight and durable.
Photobiologist Professor Ferguson, of Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, said: “This new device will have a major impact on the treatment of skin cancers. The light emitting patch is a low cost, portable and convenient method of treatment.
“Our initial pilot trials have already shown its effectiveness and we find patients requesting this treatment over
conventional methods.
“Using red light to treat skin cancer is a standard form of therapy but what we have done is take it out of the hospital setting into the home.
“You can have more than one plaster on at a time, covering multiple areas of affected skin. We have tried it on more than 20 patients so far and the results are comparable with standard hospital PDT treatment.
“We hope it could be widely available within about two years, freeing up nursing and doctor time - and hospital car parks.”
The new approach is much more convenient and comfortable than conventional methods as lower light levels are used reducing pain, and the patient can move around during treatment.
The introduction of this product will mean that more patients can be treated, and opens up the possibility of treatment at GPs’ surgeries or at home, say the researchers.
The patented technology was developed with support from Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept funding and has been licensed to Lumicure Ltd, which is currently in discussions with venture capitalists to raise equity funds to
commercialise the product.
Skin cancer is a major and rapidly growing problem in the UK. It is estimated that around ten per cent of Scotland’s population or half-a-million people will suffer from the disease at some point in their lifetimes.
In addition to the treatment of skin cancers, the researchers believe that the technology could also be used in the cosmetic industry, for anti aging treatments or for conditions such as acne
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