Breast Cancer! Nanotechnology! Lasers!

[Malienation]

I'm reading Nanotechnology Demystified, by Linda Williams. Researchers tested a new way to treat tumors in mice with the thought of moving to breast cancer in humans. How it would work is simple: tiny silica nanoshells coated with a thin layer of gold stick to a breast cancer tumor. This is achieved through one of two methods: antibiotic delivery (nanoshells are attached to antibiotics, which then stick to the tumor when injected into the patient) or Enhanced Permeability and Retention (gold collects in tiny blood vessel cracks in tumor). In any case, the gold collects in the tumor, but not elsewhere. Then, the tumor is radiated from outside the body by an infrared laser (infrared light can penetrate flesh up to about 5 inches). The frequency of the laser is such that the gold heats up hot enough to kill the tumor. Unlike current radiation treatments, surrounding flesh is not affected.

Ain't science wonderful...