Scientists in Abu Dhabi Test Precision Therapy to Increase Survival Rates for Pancreatic Cancer

 

Researchers in Abu Dhabi are pioneering an innovative precision treatment that could one day help improve survival rates for one of the deadliest cancers — pancreatic cancer. This promising research uses cutting-edge nanotechnology and light-activated therapy to specifically target and destroy cancer cells, offering hope for more effective treatment options in the future.

Pancreatic cancer is notoriously aggressive and difficult to treat, often diagnosed at an advanced stage when surgery and conventional treatments like chemotherapy or radiotherapy are less effective. Currently, the five-year survival rates remain low worldwide, making new therapeutic approaches urgently needed.

A Novel Precision Treatment Approach

The team behind this research, based at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), has developed a type of light-sensitive nanoparticle therapy aimed at pancreatic cancer cells. These tiny particles are designed to carry a special photothermal dye which responds to near-infrared light. When exposed to this light, the particles heat up to temperatures high enough to weaken or kill cancer cells.

In laboratory experiments with mice that had pancreatic tumours, the treatment showed promising results. After the nanoparticles were injected, they naturally accumulated in the tumour cells. Once activated with infrared light, these particles selectively heated and damaged the cancer cells, reducing tumour size and prolonging survival in the test animals.

Dr Mazin Magzoub, an associate professor who led the research, explained that this method could offer more precise targeting of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue — a critical advantage over traditional treatments that can harm normal cells and cause severe side effects.
How It Works

The principle behind this approach — known as photothermal therapy — has been studied before, but the use of nanoparticles enhances its precision. These particles are engineered to be absorbed more readily by tumour cells. Once inside, shining infrared light causes them to heat up locally and destroy the cancer tissue from within, leaving surrounding healthy areas largely unaffected.

This targeted action is crucial, especially for pancreatic cancer, which is often located deep within the body near sensitive organs. If future clinical trials confirm safety and effectiveness in humans, this strategy could offer a gentler alternative to aggressive chemotherapy or invasive surgery.
Why Precision Matters

Precision medicine — tailoring treatment to attack cancer cells with minimal collateral damage — is seen as a promising frontier in oncology. Abu Dhabi has been advancing this field through collaborative health programmes and advanced infrastructure aimed at personalised cancer care. For example, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi has launched region-wide precision oncology initiatives that use genomics and novel therapies to better tailor treatments to individual patients’ needs.

This Abu Dhabi research contributes to a broader global effort to improve outcomes for hard-to-treat cancers. While it remains early days, and human trials are still required before it could become a clinical reality, the results to date offer hope that more precise, effective therapies are on the horizon.
Looking Ahead

Pancreatic cancer remains among the most challenging forms of cancer to treat, with survival rates lagging far behind many other common cancers. New strategies like light-activated nanoparticle therapy represent important steps toward changing this landscape. Continued research, investment, and clinical testing will be vital to determine whether such innovations can truly improve survival rates for patients in the years ahead.

As science progresses and precision treatments become more refined, patients and clinicians alike can look forward to a future where pancreatic cancer, once almost uniformly fatal, may be met with more effective and less harmful therapeutic options. 

What makes pancreatic cancer so difficult to treat?
Pancreatic cancer is often detected late and is resistant to many standard therapies, contributing to low survival rates.

How do nanoparticles help in cancer treatment?
Nanoparticles can deliver therapy directly to cancer cells, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Is this new treatment available for humans yet?
No, it is still in the preclinical stage and requires further testing before human clinical trials.

What is photothermal therapy?
It’s a technique where particles activated by light generate heat to kill cancer cells selectively.

Why is precision medicine important in cancer care?
Precision medicine aims to tailor treatments to individual patients, improving effectiveness and reducing side effects.