Lumicure's Portable Photodynamic Therapy Against Skin Cancer
Filed in archive Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics by ruth on May 22, 2007
Lumicure's treatment is a new twist on an existing treatment called photodynamic therapy. It starts with a cream containing aminolevulinic acid, which becomes photosensitive when it comes in contact with a cancer lesion. When exposed to light, the cream interacts with only the cancerous cells, making it a very selective skin treatment.
Lumicure's light source is a low-powered organic light-emitting diodeembedded in a small adhesive device. Its battery module -- roughly the size of an MP3 player -- fits easily in a pocket.
The device is estimated to cost about $200 to $300, compared with roughly $15,000 to $20,000 for the standard therapy. Human trials are ongoing and the company hopes to launch the device in about two years.
More on Lumicure's device from the University of St. Andrews.
Photo Credit: Alan Richardson
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