Improved skin cancer treatments in the UK
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Researchers at Queen's University in Belfast have conducted a study into a new jet injection system that has the potential to significantly improve skin cancer treatment.
The needle-free system produces a high-speed liquid jet which pierces the skin. According to the researchers, the system improves upon the current method of drug delivery, which often limits skin cancer treatment success due to poor penetration of the active agent into the tumour.
"Our research shows that a new way of administering the drug can improve the amount that crosses the skin barrier and gets to the required site," said Desmond Morrow, a PhD student at the university's School of Pharmacy.
"This technology has the potential to increase the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in skin cancer treatment," he added.
Just over 8,100 people were diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in the UK in 2003, accounting for three per cent of every 100 cancers diagnosed.
While melanoma is not very common, non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, with over 67,500 cases of the disease being diagnosed in the UK in 2003.
The needle-free system produces a high-speed liquid jet which pierces the skin. According to the researchers, the system improves upon the current method of drug delivery, which often limits skin cancer treatment success due to poor penetration of the active agent into the tumour.
"Our research shows that a new way of administering the drug can improve the amount that crosses the skin barrier and gets to the required site," said Desmond Morrow, a PhD student at the university's School of Pharmacy.
"This technology has the potential to increase the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in skin cancer treatment," he added.
Just over 8,100 people were diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in the UK in 2003, accounting for three per cent of every 100 cancers diagnosed.
While melanoma is not very common, non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, with over 67,500 cases of the disease being diagnosed in the UK in 2003.
Cancer treatment news : 11/09/2007
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