Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Development of an Innovative LED-based Illumination Device for In Vitro Application of Photodynamic Therapy with Rose Bengal
Published on: September 12, 2025
A standardized light-emitting diode device for photoimmunotherapy.
Esther de Boer1, Jason M Warram2, Elmire Hartmans3
1Department of Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
A new standardized light-emitting diode (LED) device was developed for photoimmunotherapy (PIT) cancer treatment. This safe and consistent LED system demonstrated effective tumor reduction in preclinical studies, paving the way for improved PIT applications.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Photomedicine
Background:
- Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) offers selective, tumor-specific cancer treatment.
- Standardized light sources are crucial for consistent and effective PIT application.
- Existing PIT research lacks a clearly defined and validated light delivery system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and manufacture a standardized light-emitting diode (LED) device for photoimmunotherapy (PIT).
- To validate the technical feasibility, applicability, safety, and consistency of the developed LED/PIT system.
- To establish a reliable light source for advancing cancer treatment with PIT.
Main Methods:
- Optical measurements were conducted to assess photobiologic safety according to established standards.
- A luciferase-transfected breast cancer cell line (2LMP-Luc) and panitumumab-IRDye 700DX (pan-IR700) were used for validation.
- In vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to evaluate the LED device's performance.
Main Results:
- The LED light source proved safe, user-friendly, and stable in illumination and power output.
- In vitro studies showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity and blebbing in cancer cells treated with the LED device.
- In vivo studies demonstrated significant tumor signal reduction (>80%) after PIT treatment with the LED system.
Conclusions:
- A novel, standardized LED device for PIT has been developed and validated.
- The system offers a reliable and consistent light source for PIT applications.
- This work addresses the need for a normalized light source to enhance cancer treatment efficacy.

