FORT MYERS, Fla. - The late John Kanzius left behind a method that is revolutionizing the way cancer is treated.

Kanzius died February 18th of complications from Leukemia, but his work continues and may one day change all of our lives.

"This is just the tip of the iceberg and 2009 is going to be the pivotal year," said John Kanzius during a 2008 interview with WINK News Reporter Jennifer Stacy.

Kanzius' prediction is proving to be correct. His innovative approach to treating cancer is inching closer to becoming a reality.

Here's how it works: Tiny pieces of metal called nanoparticles are injected into the body. They attach to specific cancer cells, and are then exposed to radio waves. The radio waves heat the metal, killing the cancer cell in a matter of minutes but leaving healthy cells intact, with no side effects. The patient would feel nothing.

In April, Kanzius' device and treatment method was validated. He was awarded a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

"It does validate, it states that this is a unique and novel approach," explains Kanzius' widow Marianne. "Hopefully this will be something that will go down in the ages as something that will be a more humane treatment for cancer."

The news is bittersweet, coming after Kanzius' death.

"{The patent} arrived, and I held it tightly with the thought of what he would have felt, knowing that this would have meant so much to him," said Marianne.

In the meantime, steps toward human trials are underway.

Dr. Steven Curley of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the lead researcher in the Kanzius project, is scheduled to meet with the Food and Drug Administration this week. Dr. Curley will propose the treatment for liver and pancreatic cancers, areas where the most research has been done. Dr. Curley hopes to learn what is needed from regulators before they will approve human trials, which he hopes can start within a year and a half.
but the process can take time.

"This still takes research and it it will take some time," said Marianne. "I think that's what we all have to look forward to is the dream and reality that cancer will be gone someday in our future."