Minimally-invasive procedure for breast cancer developed

17 Jun 2002

A new method capable of destroying breast tumors without surgery and side effects has been developed at the Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Three ORNL scientists have applied for a patent on this minimally invasive therapy for breast cancer that combines laser light and presently available drugs.

When fully developed, the technique will use a focused laser light beam that passes harmlessly through skin and delivers photons in a one-two punch to the target. The beam of light, two photons at a time, is absorbed by the targeted tumor tissue, activating an ingested pharmaceutical agent that is taken up by rapidly proliferating cells like those found in tumors. The ORNL scientists have already demonstrated that the technique can selectively kill Salmonella bacteria and human breast cancer cells. The scientists believe the technique could be used to treat skin, liver and breast cancers as well as a variety of other cancers.