A new light-based cancer therapy could revolutionize how we treat skin cancer — and maybe even make at-home cancer care possible one day.
Scientists from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Porto have developed an innovative LED-based treatment that successfully killed 92% of skin cancer cells in just 30 minutes, while leaving healthy cells completely unharmed. The breakthrough could mark a major step toward safer, more affordable, and non-invasive cancer therapies.
A Safer, Smarter Way to Target Cancer Cells
Traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and laser therapy often come with serious side effects. Chemotherapy drugs can harm healthy cells throughout the body, while laser-based phototherapies require expensive equipment and precise handling to avoid tissue damage.
This new approach changes the game. Researchers designed a special material called tin oxide nanoflakes (SnOx nanoflakes) that react to near-infrared (NIR) LED light — a safe and low-cost light source similar to what’s used in many medical and cosmetic devices.
When exposed to this LED light, the nanoflakes rapidly heat up, destroying cancer cells through a process known as photothermal therapy (PTT). The key difference is precision — the nanoflakes only heat and kill cancer cells, leaving healthy ones untouched.
In laboratory tests, the method eliminated 92% of skin cancer cells and about 50% of colorectal cancer cells within half an hour. Even more promising, there was no measurable damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
LEDs Over Lasers: A Major Leap Forward
Unlike traditional laser phototherapy, which requires specialized facilities and trained professionals, this new LED-based system is low-cost, portable, and safe for everyday use. LEDs produce less concentrated light but are much easier to handle and scale up for larger applications.
According to the research team, this accessibility could allow for a new generation of cancer treatments that patients could use outside hospitals or even at home under medical supervision.
“Because LEDs are inexpensive, compact, and operate at safe power levels, this method could be developed into simple, handheld or wearable devices,” explained Dr. Artur Pinto, co-lead researcher from the University of Porto. “One day, patients could use this technology after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence.”
How It Works
Here’s a closer look at what makes this technique so unique:
1. Nanoflakes Design: The SnOx nanoflakes are created through a special electrochemical process using tin sulfide (SnS₂). This gives them properties that make them highly efficient at converting light into heat.
2. Near-Infrared Activation: When illuminated with near-infrared LED light, these nanoflakes generate localized heat precisely where cancer cells are present.
3. Selective Targeting: Cancer cells are more sensitive to heat than normal cells, allowing the therapy to destroy tumors while sparing healthy tissue.
This combination of selectivity, safety, and simplicity could make the technology suitable for clinical use and personal medical devices in the future.
Why It Matters
Cancer remains one of the world’s deadliest diseases, claiming millions of lives each year. While modern treatments have improved survival rates, the side effects often leave patients weak and vulnerable. A therapy that can selectively target cancer without harming the body could dramatically improve quality of life during and after treatment.
Moreover, the low cost of LED equipment means this technology could be made affordable and accessible worldwide, including in low-resource regions where traditional cancer therapies are out of reach.
The researchers emphasize that while the results are extremely encouraging, further studies — including animal and human clinical trials — are still needed before it becomes a standard treatment. But the early findings show a powerful new direction for non-invasive cancer therapy.
The Future of Light-Based Medicine
The development of LED-powered photothermal therapy highlights how nanotechnology and medical engineering are converging to create smarter, safer, and more personalized healthcare solutions. If scaled successfully, this discovery could lead to wearable cancer-fighting patches or post-surgery healing devices that patients can use in the comfort of their homes.
This research opens the door to a future where cancer treatment is not only effective but also gentle, affordable, and accessible to all.
Source:
Chang, H.-P., Silva, F. A. L. S., Nance, E., Fernandes, J. R., Santos, S. G., Magalhães, F. D., Pinto, A. M., & Incorvia, J. A. C. (2025). SnOx Nanoflakes as Enhanced Near-Infrared Photothermal Therapy Agents Synthesized from Electrochemically Oxidized SnS₂ Powders. ACS Nano.