TAIPEI, Taiwan — The Ministry of Technology held a press conference on December 9 in an attempt to show the collaboration between industry and school. Due to the expensiveness of laser light source, laser light becomes the major bottleneck to commercialize photodynamic therapy technology as a common cancer treatment modality. Ivy Hsu, Professor at Dept. of Bioscience Technology of Chung Yuan Christian University pinned high hopes on LED to replace laser light in cancer surgery.
Ivy Hsu stated that in order to lower the cost of US importing laser device nearly NT$1.5 million/unit, the research and development project is initiated to the efficacy and performance of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources on photodynamic therapy results.
“The LED light sources have achieved over 2W of 635nm power intensity which is compatible light intensity as laser light but render even better therapeutic results in oral hamster buccal pouches
precancer model preclinical trial study.” Ivy Hsu said.
“Thus, we do not need to rely on foreign imports of laser light sources in the future,” Ivy Hsu cited that Taiwan-developed LED light source may replace the expensive laser light source in the future. “Since Taiwan is the world’s largest production country of LED, we have the most advanced
high-brightness light-emitting diode light source technology.”
Ivy Hsu claimed the Wonderlight currently developed is light weight of less than 1.5kg, user-friendly design, easy maintenance, and
relevant lower cost. Based on photodynamic theory, LED light source with a wide peak of 635nm ± 10nm range, and laser light source with a sharp peak of 630nm ± 1nm range, “The energy provided by a LED light source actually have more photodynamic tumor toxicity effect.”
Therefore, LED is expected to be effective in lead to excite a higher amount of photosensitizer at same power density of light which will improve efficacy of photodynamic therapy.
