SJTU researchers develop innovative therapy for oral cancer

CHINA—Scientists at Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine (SJTU) have unveiled a promising new approach to treating oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a particularly aggressive form of oral cancer.

Their innovative method combines nitric oxide gas therapy with nanocatalytic therapy, providing a more targeted and effective treatment while minimizing side effects.

With oral squamous cell carcinoma being known for its rapid spread and tendency to recur after treatment, traditional therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, are often accompanied by severe side effects.

These side effects include difficulties with speaking and eating and painful conditions like mouth sores and dry mouth, prompting the researchers to strive to develop less harsh treatments for patients.

In a study published in the Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, the researchers introduced a novel approach that employs nanocatalysts.

Nanocatalysts are tiny particles ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers in size, which accelerate chemical reactions and, more precisely, target cancer cells.

Professor Ping Xiong, the lead researcher, explained that they created minuscule iron particles composed of individual iron atoms designed to interact with hydrogen peroxide, which is found in elevated levels within tumour cells.

The study detailed how these iron atoms utilize a chemical process known as the Fenton reaction. In this reaction, the iron atoms act as catalysts, converting hydrogen peroxide into highly toxic hydroxyl radicals.

These radicals are extremely reactive and induce intense oxidative stress by damaging critical cellular components, including DNA and proteins.

When activated by near-infrared laser light, the iron particles are also engineered to release nitric oxide gas. This nitric oxide gas enhances the effects of the hydroxyl radicals by triggering apoptosis, a controlled form of cell death essential for eliminating damaged cells.

The treatment’s efficacy was demonstrated in animal model experiments, where a single dose combined with a laser pulse suppressed tumours by approximately 85.5%.

“This treatment is highly specific to cancer cells, which reduces damage to healthy tissues and minimizes side effects,” noted Yuting Xie, one of the study’s authors. “This specificity makes the treatment both more effective and better tolerated by the body.”

Despite these advances, one challenge faced was ensuring that the infrared laser targeted only the tumour, particularly in difficult-to-reach areas such as the sides and bottom of the tongue.

To address this, the team is exploring ways to improve the precision of the laser treatment to avoid inadvertent damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

One promising avenue involves developing nanocatalysts that can be administered via intravenous injection. This could potentially enhance targeting by allowing more controlled interaction with the laser.

The researchers are also focused on devising strategies to prevent the cancer from spreading or recurring after treatment.

Through ongoing refinement of these technologies, the researchers aim to establish a more effective and targeted treatment option for oral squamous cell carcinoma, offering new hope for patients facing this invasive cancer.