Researchers from Korea's KAIST institute, in collaboration with colleagues from UNIST, have utilized microLEDs to created a new photodynamic therapy for pancreatic cancer treatments based on microLEDs, that may overcome a critical hurdle in current treatment options.
The researchers explain that pancreatic tumors have a biological barrier due to the dense tumor microenvironment (TME). This barrier surrounds the tumor, severely limiting the infiltration of chemotherapy agents and immune cells. Current photodynamic therapy methods are promising, but the currently used light sources fail to penetrate deep tissues.
The researchers developed an implantable, shape-morphing 3D device based on microLEDs, that can effectively deliver light to these deep tissues. the researchers used a flexible "octopus-like" architecture that enables it to be wrapped around the entire pancreatic tumor.
In-vivo experiments in mouse have shown that within just three days, tumor fibrous tissue was reduced by 64%, and the pancreatic tissue successfully reverted to normal tissue, overcoming the limitations of conventional PDT.
