Document Type : Commentary
Authors
- Parsa Faghani-Eskandarkolaei 1
- James Welsh 2, 3
- Seyed Ali Reza Mortazavi 4
- Parmis Taghizadeh 5
- Mobina Baramaki 5
- Fatemeh Shams 5
- Mohammed Nasir Abubakari 6
- Seyed Mohammad Javad Mortazavi 1, 7
- Lembit Sihver 8, 9, 10
1 Department of Medical Physics and Engineering, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
2 Department of Radiation Oncology, Stritch School of Medicine Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA
3 Department of Radiation Oncology, Edward Hines Jr Veterans Affairs Hospital, Maywood, Illinois, USA
4 MVLS College, The University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
5 Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
6 Department of Medical Imaging, School of Allied health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Ghana
7 Ionizing and Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection Research Center (INIRPRC), Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
8 Department of Informatics & Engineering Systems, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX, USA
9 Department of Physics, the Harriot College of Art and Sciences East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
10 Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston, ON, Canada
Abstract
Recent advancements in cancer treatment have introduced the use of aminocyanine molecules, activated by near-infrared (NIR) light, to induce vibrational responses that can selectively destroy cancer cells. This commentary critically examines a study that reports a 99% efficacy of this method against human melanoma cells in vitro, and significant tumor reduction in murine models. While the findings are promising, our analysis highlights crucial oversights in the study’s implications for clinical applications. Specifically, the persistence of even a small fraction of cancer cells post-treatment poses significant risks for tumor regrowth and acquired resistance. Additionally, the study’s approach neglects the heterogeneity of cancer cells and the presence of cancer stem cells, which are known to contribute to recurrence and resistance. We also discuss the limitations of the Tumor Control Probability (TCP) model in predicting treatment outcomes, emphasizing that achieving near-total eradication of cancer cells is necessary to prevent recurrence. Our commentary underscores the need for comprehensive research to address these challenges and ensure the efficacy and safety of novel cancer treatments utilizing aminocyanine molecules and NIR light.
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