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Scientists create LED light that kills cancer cells without harming healthy ones

A team of researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Porto in Portugal has discovered a promising new way to fight cancer — one that kills cancer cells with precision while leaving healthy cells unharmed.

Their groundbreaking approach uses LED light combined with tiny tin-based nanoflakes to destroy cancer cells. Unlike traditional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation, which can harm healthy tissue and cause severe side effects, this new technique is both gentle and affordable, offering new hope for millions of patients around the world.

This discovery, recently published in ACS Nano, could open the door to a new era in cancer treatment — one that is safe, noninvasive, and accessible even in areas without advanced medical facilities.

The Breakthrough: Light That Heals, Not Hurts

For decades, scientists have explored how light can be used to fight diseases. One of the most promising techniques is called photothermal therapy, which uses light to heat up and kill cancer cells. When light of a certain wavelength hits special materials inside the body, those materials convert light energy into heat. The heat destroys cancer cells by raising their temperature until they can no longer survive.

The challenge, however, has always been finding a way to target only the cancer cells — and doing so safely. Traditional methods often rely on lasers, which are expensive, require specialized equipment, and can damage healthy tissue.

That’s where the new research comes in. The Texas–Portugal team replaced lasers with LED lights — a far safer and cheaper alternative — and developed a special material called SnOx nanoflakes (the “Sn” stands for tin). When combined, the LED light and nanoflakes work together to selectively heat and destroy cancer cells while sparing normal cells.

How the Treatment Works

The process begins by introducing the SnOx nanoflakes into cancerous tissue. These nanoflakes are engineered to absorb light in the near-infrared spectrum, a range of light that can penetrate deeply into the body without causing harm.

When the cancerous area is illuminated with LED light, the nanoflakes rapidly heat up. This localized heating destroys the cancer cells, effectively “burning” them from within, while nearby healthy cells remain cool and undamaged.

In laboratory tests, the results have been remarkable. After just 30 minutes of LED exposure, the treatment killed up to 92% of skin cancer cells and 50% of colorectal cancer cells. Importantly, it showed no harmful effects on healthy human skin cells, demonstrating the method’s selectivity and safety.

“Our goal was to create a treatment that is not only effective but also safe and accessible,” explained Jean Anne Incorvia, a professor in UT Austin’s Cockrell School of Engineering. “With the combination of LED light and SnOx nanoflakes, we’ve developed a method to precisely target cancer cells while leaving healthy cells untouched.”

Why This Matters: Tackling Cancer with Precision and Compassion

Cancer remains one of the world’s deadliest diseases, claiming millions of lives each year. Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery have saved countless lives, but they often come at a great cost — painful side effects, long recovery times, and damage to healthy organs.

By contrast, the new LED-based treatment could revolutionize how we approach cancer therapy. It is:

  • Noninvasive: No need for surgery or toxic chemicals.

  • Selective: Only targets cancer cells, leaving healthy cells intact.

  • Affordable: Uses inexpensive LED technology instead of costly lasers.

  • Accessible: Could eventually be used outside specialized hospitals, even in remote or under-resourced areas.

In a world where healthcare inequality remains a major issue, this technology could make advanced cancer care available to patients who would otherwise have no access to such treatments.

From Lasers to LEDs: A Game-Changer for Accessibility

Until now, photothermal therapy has been mostly confined to research labs or specialized medical centers. The main barriers have been cost, complexity, and safety. High-powered lasers can be dangerous to operate, require trained technicians, and are often too expensive for widespread use.

LEDs, on the other hand, are low-cost, easy to use, and safe. They generate much less heat outside the target area and can be made small and portable. By replacing lasers with LEDs, the research team has effectively democratized photothermal therapy.

“This change could be the key to making light-based cancer treatments widely available,” said Artur Pinto, a researcher at the University of Porto and the project’s lead investigator in Portugal. “Our ultimate goal is to make this technology available to patients everywhere, especially places where access to specialized equipment is limited, with fewer side effects and lower cost.”

A Glimpse into the Future: Home-Based Cancer Care

The possibilities go even further. The researchers envision a future where some forms of cancer treatment can happen at home.

For example, after surgery to remove a skin tumor, a patient could use a portable LED device placed directly on the affected area. The light would activate the nanoflakes to destroy any remaining cancer cells, reducing the risk of recurrence without requiring hospital visits.

“For skin cancers in particular, we envision that one day, treatment could move from the hospital to the patient’s home,” Pinto said. “A portable device could be placed on the skin after surgery to irradiate and destroy any remaining cancer cells, reducing the risk of recurrence.”

Such a device would not only improve convenience but also greatly reduce the emotional and financial burden of cancer treatment.

The Power of Collaboration: Bridging Continents for Innovation

The success of this research is a testament to international collaboration. The project was made possible through the UT Austin Portugal Program, a long-standing partnership between The University of Texas at Austin and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).

This collaboration connects researchers, students, and institutions from both countries to tackle complex scientific challenges in areas like advanced materials, medical technology, and digital innovation.

Incorvia and Pinto first met through this program in 2021. Since then, they have exchanged visits, shared expertise, and made several important breakthroughs together. Their partnership has already inspired new projects — including one focused on creating an implant for breast cancer patients, supported by new funding from the UT Austin Portugal Program.

The research team includes several other scientists and students who contributed key expertise:

  • Hui-Ping Chang, a Ph.D. student at UT Austin, led the development of the tin nanoflakes.

  • Eva Nance, an undergraduate student, assisted in the engineering process.

  • Filipa A. L. S. Silva, from the University of Porto, performed the biological testing.

  • Susana G. Santos, also from Porto, supervised the biological studies.

  • Professor Fernão Magalhães helped secure the funding for the project.

  • José R. Fernandes, from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, developed the LED systems used in the experiments.

This collaboration shows how combining diverse talents across countries can accelerate progress — and bring new medical innovations to life.

Understanding the Science: Why Tin Nanoflakes Work

The “magic” behind the treatment lies in the special properties of tin oxide (SnOx) at the nanoscale. When reduced to flakes just billionths of a meter thick, tin oxide behaves differently from its bulk form.

These nanoflakes have unique optical and thermal properties, allowing them to efficiently absorb near-infrared light and convert it into heat. Moreover, their structure can be fine-tuned to attach specifically to cancer cells, increasing their precision.

By adjusting the size and shape of the nanoflakes, researchers can control how they interact with light — and how much heat they generate. This tunability is what makes SnOx nanoflakes such a powerful tool for targeted cancer therapy.

Another advantage is biocompatibility. Tin oxide is relatively non-toxic and stable, meaning it won’t harm healthy tissue or break down into dangerous byproducts. This makes it safer than many other materials used in nanomedicine.

Beyond Cancer: Other Potential Applications

While the team’s immediate focus is on treating skin and colorectal cancers, the technology has broader potential. Because near-infrared light can penetrate several centimeters into the body, the same principles could be adapted for breast, liver, or even brain tumors, depending on how the nanoflakes are delivered.

In addition to cancer, this combination of LED light and nanomaterials could be used in antibacterial treatments, wound healing, and even drug delivery systems. By tweaking the nanoflakes to carry medicines or respond to different light wavelengths, researchers could design a variety of targeted therapies.

The Road Ahead: From Lab to Clinic

Although the results so far are highly encouraging, the researchers emphasize that more work is needed before this treatment can be used in humans.

The next steps include:

  1. Understanding the reaction mechanisms — learning exactly how light and heat affect cancer cells at the molecular level.

  2. Testing other catalyst materials that could work even more efficiently or be tailored for different cancer types.

  3. Designing medical devices — such as wearable or implantable LED systems — that can safely deliver the treatment to patients.

  4. Conducting animal and human trials to ensure safety and effectiveness in real-world conditions.

Despite these challenges, the progress so far suggests that clinical use could be closer than expected. The team’s ongoing funding and strong international partnership provide a solid foundation for continued advancement.

Hope for a Brighter Tomorrow

Imagine a future where cancer treatment doesn’t mean painful hospital visits, hair loss, or months of recovery. Instead, a simple, affordable device could deliver light-based therapy that quietly and effectively destroys cancer cells without harming the body.

That future may soon be within reach — thanks to a small group of scientists, a big idea, and the humble power of LED light.

As Professor Incorvia summed up, “We’re working to bring this technology from the lab to the clinic — and eventually, to every patient who needs it. It’s not just about fighting cancer; it’s about improving quality of life and making care more equitable around the world.”

With innovations like this, light may not only illuminate our surroundings — it may one day save lives.

Reference: Hui-Ping Chang, Filipa A. L. S. Silva, Eva Nance, José R. Fernandes, Susana G. Santos, Fernão D. Magalhães, Artur M. Pinto, and Jean Anne C. Incorvia, "SnOx Nanoflakes as Enhanced Near-Infrared Photothermal Therapy Agents Synthesized from Electrochemically Oxidized SnS2 Powders", ACS Nano 2025 19 (38), 33749-33763 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5c03135

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