Light Activated Cancer Drug Hope

Currently, the difficulty with cancer treatments lie with the inability of the immune system to differentiate between healthy and tumor cells, so both are attacked.
Newcastle University researchers have potentially discovered a way to cause monoclonal antibodies to attack only tumor cells. The method involves coating the antibodies with a light sensitive organic oil which interferes with the activity of the antibodies. When uv light is shown on the tumor site, the antibodies are activated. Research has shown success on ovarian cancers in rats and human trials are expected to begin soon.
This article is of interest due to the huge effect this treatment will have if successful. Also, as biomedical engineering students it is important to be aware of new research and possible areas of study for our future careers.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7067828.stm