Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment: Ultrasound Boosts Photothermal Therapy

South Korea’s DGIST has pioneered a game-changing advancement in photothermal therapy (PTT), overcoming its biggest limitation: poor tissue penetration.

The Challenge with Light-Based Therapy

PTT uses targeted heat to destroy cancer cells and is already used for skin treatments and tumor removal. But light scatters as it travels through tissue, limiting its depth and effectiveness.

The DGIST Solution: Ultrasound + PTT

By combining ultrasound with PTT, researchers created ULTRA-PTT—a method that:
✔ Reduces light scattering using microbubbles (safe, temporary gaps in tissue).
✔ Delivers deeper, more precise heat to tumors.
✔ Eliminated melanoma in mice where standard PTT failed.

A Handheld Device for Real-World Use

DGIST designed a compact, clinical-ready handpiece with:

• An ultrasound unit to generate microbubbles.

• A laser system for precise infrared delivery.

• Zero tissue damage—confirmed in safety tests.

"This breakthrough expands PTT’s potential beyond superficial treatments," says Jin-ho Chang of DGIST. "Human trials could be next."

#photothermaltherapy #ultrasound #cancer #skin #laser #device