The University of Notre Dame in United States develops a new wireless LED device that uses light to treat cancer
The University of Notre Dame in United States develops a new wireless LED device that uses light to treat cancer
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame in the United States have developed a breakthrough wireless LED device that can be implanted to treat hard-to-reach cancers. This device works with a photosensitive dye to kill cancer cells and stimulate the immune system to target cancer more effectively. It uses green light to trigger a powerful immune response that promotes cell death, thereby enhancing immune activity. The device, with its potential for remote activation and treatment monitoring, marks a significant advance in the treatment of deep-seated cancers. This research is supported by the University of Notre Dame's STIR Fund, which aims to advance interdisciplinary projects that impact health, the environment, and technology.
To allow these hard-to-access cancers to enjoy the benefits of light, engineers and scientists at the University of Notre Dame have designed a wireless LED device that can be implanted. This device, combined with a photosensitive dye, not only destroys cancer cells, but also mobilizes the immune system's cancer-targeted response. The study was published in the journal Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy.
"Some colors of light penetrate deeper into tissues than others," said Thomas O'Sullivan, co-author of the paper and associate professor of electrical engineering. "It turns out that the kind of light that is less penetrating – in this case, green – is able to produce a more powerful response to cancer cells."
Before light energy can effectively destroy cancer cells, a dye with a light-absorbing molecule must be administered to the cells. When the device is turned on, the dye converts light into energy, which makes the cell's own oxygen toxic – effectively killing cancer cells.
While other treatments also use the cell's own oxygen as a weapon, such devices create a particularly accidental form of cell death.
Hailey Sanders, a graduate student in biochemistry, and SungHoon Rho, a graduate student in electrical engineering, worked together to keenly notice that the treated cells were swelling, a sign of cell death — "cremation" — and that it was particularly good at triggering an immune response," said co-author Bradley Smith, the Emil T. Hofman professor of science. Bradley Smith) said. "Our goal is to induce cells to die of pyrolysis little by little, and then trigger the immune system to start attacking the cancer. "
In a future study, the device will be used in mice to see if a cancer-killing response initiated in one tumor prompts the immune system to recognize and attack another cancer tumor on its own.
O'Sullivan pointed out that the device, which is only the size of a grain of rice, can be injected directly into the cancer tumor and activated remotely through an external antenna. Our goal is to use the device not only to provide treatment, but also to monitor the tumor's response, adjusting signal intensity and timing as needed.