Scientists at Lobachevsky University of Nizhny Novgorod have developed a new generation drug to fight skin cancer, increasing the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy tenfold.
Studies on mice and human cancer cells have proven the promise of using an anti-cancer agent in the fight against squamous cell skin cancer. The drug may also be effective in the treatment of head and neck cancer.
The author of the study, Lyubov Krylova, explained that classical photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses light to activate photosensitizers, which destroy tumor cells. However, this is often not enough for a complete cure. The new technique combines a chlorophyll A-based photosensitizer with the precise action of the targeted drug vadentanib. This made it possible to increase the effectiveness of PDT tenfold.
The two parts of the molecular complex work together to fight cancer: vadentanib delivers the drug directly to the tumor and blocks its growth, while the photosensitizer destroys it by releasing powerful oxidants.
Earlier, scientists from Novosibirsk State University developed a unique molecule, which is a photosensitive analogue of adrenaline. It will allow studying the effect of this hormone on the activation of platelets with the help of light.
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