The strategy allows cancer cells to be selectively destroyed by irradiating a single cell with a laser. When applied to 3D tumor models, the effect propagates to adjacent cells, inducing cell death in the core of the tumor that progressively extends throughout its structure.

Photodynamic therapy is a clinically approved cancer treatment that relies on light irradiation of tumor areas where a photosensitizing agent has been previously administered. Light activation releases toxic compounds aimed at inducing the death of cancer cells. Typically, irradiation is applied to the entire tumor. Researchers now propose an innovative approach: focused laser irradiation on individual tumor cells.