Han Qian, Zou Pingjin, Wei Xianhao, Chen Junyang, Li Xiaojiao, Quan Li, Wang Ranlin, Xing Lili, Xue Xinyu, Zhou Yi, Chen Meihua
School of Physics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China.
School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, China.
Mater Today Bio. 2024 Dec 9;30:101394. doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101394. eCollection 2025 Feb.
Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide and the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. In this study, we propose a novel esophageal stent equipped with a wireless, battery-free, and movable photodynamic therapy (PDT) unit designed to treat esophageal tumors with flexibility, precision, and real-time control. This system integrates a PDT unit and an electrochemical pneumatic soft actuator into a conventional esophageal stent. Each module incorporates a piezoelectric transducer capable of receiving external ultrasound to power the respective module. These transducers selectively respond to different external ultrasound frequencies, enabling independent operation without mutual interference. The therapy module provides a light source for PDT, inducing the production of cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) in tumor cells and promoting apoptosis. The pneumatic actuator based on electrochemical principles plays a critical role in controlling the position of the PDT light source, enabling the movement of the therapy module up to 200 mm within 15 min. This allows real-time control to maintain the light source near the tumor, ensuring precise and targeted treatment. The system can wirelessly and in real-time control the PDT light source's position via external ultrasound, offering a novel approach for treating esophageal cancer patients according to the need of tumor's progression.
食管癌是全球第八大常见癌症，也是癌症相关死亡的第六大主要原因。在本研究中，我们提出了一种新型食管支架，其配备了无线、无电池且可移动的光动力疗法（PDT）单元，旨在灵活、精确且实时控制地治疗食管肿瘤。该系统将一个PDT单元和一个电化学气动软致动器集成到传统食管支架中。每个模块都包含一个能够接收外部超声以为各自模块供电的压电换能器。这些换能器选择性地响应不同的外部超声频率，实现独立运行且互不干扰。治疗模块为PDT提供光源，诱导肿瘤细胞中产生细胞毒性活性氧（ROS）并促进细胞凋亡。基于电化学原理的气动致动器在控制PDT光源的位置方面起着关键作用，使治疗模块能够在15分钟内移动多达200毫米。这允许进行实时控制，以将光源保持在肿瘤附近，确保精确且有针对性的治疗。该系统可以通过外部超声无线且实时地控制PDT光源的位置，根据肿瘤进展的需要为治疗食管癌患者提供了一种新方法。
