One of the major problems with the majority of current cancer treatments is that they affect both normal and cancer cells, leading to many unpleasant or even dangerous side effects. A Norweigian company has developed a technology that can reduce or eliminate this problem. The system uses lasers to activate cancer drugs. Because the light can be directed very precisely, the drugs are not activated in normal cells. To make this work, patients would take a chemical that reacts to the laser light (Amphinex®) and an inactive form of the cancer drug. Both of these are taken into all cells. When the laser light hits the target cells, the cancer drug is activated. The method results in sparing of normal cells and a dramatic increase in the potency of the cancer drugs.
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