Two-Dimensional Device with Light-Controlled Capability for Treatment of Cancer-Relevant Infection Diseases

Concurrent infection in cancer treatment is the leading cause of high cancer mortality that requires urgent action. Currently developed diagnostic methods are hindered by the difficulty of rapidly and reliably screening small amounts of pathogens in the blood and then release pathogens for downstream analysis, limiting the advance of cancer concurrent infection diseases diagnosis and targeted treatment. Herein, we present a near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive black phosphorus (BP)-based device that effectively captures and releases pathogen for downstream drug-resistance analysis. The aptamer-modified BP nanostructures exhibit enhanced topographical interactions and binding capabilities with pathogen, enabling highly efficient and selective capture of pathogen in serum. NIR light irradiation induces BP nanostructure to generate a local thermal effect, which regulates the three-dimensional structure of the aptamer and causes efficient release of pathogen from the substrate surface. The released pathogen is resistant to ampicillin as demonstrated by downstream genetic analysis. The design of the functionalized light-controlled device for monitoring pathogen behavior shows great potential for assisting in cancer therapy and promoting personalized healthcare.