Spotting elusive tumors just got a lot easier, thanks to “nanodots” — tiny particles that attach themselves to cancer cells and emit intense fluorescent signals when exposed to light.

The nanodots (the research identifies them as “quantum dots”) are delivered intravenously, but some leave the bloodstream and cross membranes, entering cancer cells. These illuminated nanodots shine bright and guide doctors to cancerous areas, providing better diagnoses than ever before.

The illuminated particles that are left behind in the bloodstream lose their fluorescent ability when scientists inject a special compound — an “etching” compound — which remains in the bloodstream away from the illuminated cancer cells and cannot block the fluorescent ability of the nanodots.

Researchers stress the entire process is done with zero toxic effects on patients.

The new technology is the brainchild of researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, who published their results in the journal Nature Communications.

"Tumor imaging is an integral part of cancer detection, treatment, and tracking the progress of patients after treatment," said Dr. Sugahara, a lead developer of the technology. "Although significant progress has been made in the last two decades, better and more sensitive detection, such as the method we are developing, will contribute to more personalized and potentially more effective interventions to improve the clinical outcomes of cancer patients."

Dr. Gary Braun, another leading developer, credited the etchant process as the basis for the illumination’s success: "The novelty of our nanosystem is how the etchant works. Because the etchant can't cross membranes to reach tumor cells, the quantum dots that have reached the tumor remain fluorescent. Thus, the entire process eliminates background fluorescence while preserving tumor-specific signals.”

The researchers employed mice with human breast, prostate, and gastric tumors. The quantum dots effectively sought out the tumors and illuminated the cancer cells.

Sugahara outlined the practicality of the technology and how it could be used in real-world applications: "Moving forward we will focus on developing our novel nanosystem to work with routine imaging tests like PET scans and MRIs."

A new company is formed to further develop the platform for human use.