In a discovery that could transform the treatment of aggressive cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer and pancreatic cancer, researchers at the University of Aveiro (UA) have developed chlorophyll-derived compounds with high efficacy in photodynamic therapy. This breakthrough offers an innovative and minimally invasive approach capable of eliminating tumor cells by leveraging the natural properties of chlorophyll.
The compounds, extracted from natural sources and activated by light in the red region of the visible spectrum, stood out in initial tests due to their low toxicity under normal conditions and high effectiveness under controlled illumination.
Researcher Amparo Faustino explains that the use of light, specifically directed at the tumor, allows the therapy to act only on the affected area, minimizing side effects and maximizing therapeutic impact.
According to the researcher, the effective penetration of light into tissues, which activates the chlorophyll derivatives within cancer cells, represents an advance in terms of precision and safety in combating cancer.
The new compounds, developed in the UA Chemistry and Medical Sciences laboratories, showed low toxicity outside the illuminated area and extremely high efficacy under controlled light exposure.
This discovery promises to open new treatment options for hard-to-treat cancers, bringing hope to patients and expanding the boundaries of modern medicine. There is hope that these new compounds will be swiftly adapted for clinical use, offering greater safety and efficacy to patients facing aggressive and challenging cancer diagnoses.
(By Rafael Langa)
