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Advances in far-infrared research: therapeutic mechanisms of disease and application in cancer detection

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Abstract

Far infrared (FIR) irradiation is commonly used as a convenient, non-contact, non-invasive treatment for diseases such as myocardial ischemia, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. In this review, we focus on reviewing the potential therapeutic mechanisms of FIR and its cutting-edge applications in cancer detection. Firstly, we searched the relevant literature in the last decade for systematic screening and briefly summarized the biophysical properties of FIR. We then focused on the possible mechanisms of FIR in wound healing, cardiovascular diseases, and other chronic diseases. In addition, we review recent applications of FIR in cancer detection, where Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and infrared thermography provide additional diagnostic methods for the medical diagnosis of cancer. Finally, we conclude and look into the future development of FIR for disease treatment and cancer detection. As a high-frequency non-ionizing wave, FIR has the advantages of safety, convenience, and low cost. We hope that this review can provide biological information reference and relevant data support for those who are interested in FIR and related high-frequency non-ionizing waves, to promote the further application of FIR in the biomedical field.

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Funding

This research was supported by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. LQ23H180002, Zhejiang Provincial “Revealing the list and taking command” Project of China under Grant No. KYH06Y22349, and National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 82302350.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Mathematical Medicine, Zhejiang Normal University, **hua, China

    Jianming Wen, **nyang Ge & **aolin Wang

  2. The Institute of Precision Machinery and Smart Structure, College of Engineering, Zhejiang Normal University, **hua, China

    Jianming Wen & Jijie Ma

  3. College of Physics and Electronic Information Engineering, Zhejiang Normal University, **hua, China

    Junrun Pan

  4. Technology & Equipment of Zhejiang Province, College of Engineering, Zhejiang Normal University, **hua, China

    Zisheng Xu

  5. Affiliated Dongyang Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, **hua, China

    **aolin Wang & Zhong Lv

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  1. Jianming Wen
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X.W. and Z.L. conceived the idea, J.W. drafted the manuscript, J.P. and J.M. supervised the process, and X.G. and Z.X. contributed to editing. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to **aolin Wang or Zhong Lv.

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Wen, J., Pan, J., Ma, J. et al. Advances in far-infrared research: therapeutic mechanisms of disease and application in cancer detection. Lasers Med Sci 39, 41 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-024-03994-4

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