How a 14-Year-Old Innovator is Changing Skin Cancer Treatment
Written by Churnika Gudla
Heman Bekele's innovative soap works by cleverly combining cutting-edge science with the everyday simplicity of a bar of soap. The core of this soap’s effectiveness lies in its ability to deliver a powerful anti-cancer drug, imidazoquinolines, directly to the skin where it's needed. Imidazoquinolines are known for their ability to boost the immune system, helping it to recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.
What sets Heman's soap apart is the use of lipid-based nanoparticles. These nanoparticles are tiny, fat-like structures that can easily penetrate the skin’s surface. When the soap is applied, these nanoparticles carry the imidazoquinolines deep into the skin. Even after rinsing, the nanoparticles remain embedded in the skin, slowly releasing the drug over time. This prolonged exposure increases the effectiveness of the treatment, allowing the drug to continuously target and combat cancer cells.
By using soap as the delivery method, Heman's invention offers a more accessible and less invasive treatment option for skin cancer. Traditional treatments like surgery or radiation can be expensive, painful, and difficult for many patients to access. Heman’s soap aims to overcome these barriers by providing a simple, affordable, and effective way to treat skin cancer, potentially transforming the way this disease is managed, especially in resource-limited settings.
References
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/14-year-old-scientist-heman-bekele-on his-quest-to-fight-skin-cancer-with-soap
Written by Churnika Gudla from MEDILOQUY