India, July 7 -- Oral cancer is a major health challenge in India, where tobacco and areca nut use contribute substantially to the disease burden. Despite advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, treatment remains difficult because current approaches can damage healthy tissues along with cancer cells, often affecting patients' quality of life.

In a new study, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), in collaboration with clinicians at MS Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals, Bengaluru, explored whether low-frequency ultrasound mechanical stimulation could selectively kill oral cancer cells. The team worked with patient-derived oral tumour samples that better reflect variations among Indian patients.

The team f...