Light to kill cancer cells

Scientists have discovered a simple and practical way to kill cancer cells by using light to steer immune cells to attack the tumours.

Researchers at University of Rochester Medical Center in the US describe their method as similar to “sending light on a spy mission to track down cancer cells.“ In immunotherapy , instead of directly killing cancer cells, it tells the immune system to act in certain ways by stimulating T cells to attack the disease. Minsoo Kim, professor University of Rochester, conducted a study to understand and develop light-sensitive molecules that could efficiently guide T cells towards tumours.