Cold-Driven Thermoelectric Patch for Postoperative Tumor Control

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Immunology

Background:

• Postoperative tumor management is challenged by residual tumor cells, immune suppression, and poor wound healing.
• Surgical removal of tumors eliminates antigen sources, increasing vulnerability to recurrence and metastasis.
• Current strategies lack integrated approaches for simultaneous immune activation and tissue repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a flexible wearable cold-catalytic patch for synergistic immune activation and enhanced tissue repair.
• To investigate the patch's ability to address challenges in postoperative tumor management.
• To provide a broadly applicable paradigm for next-generation postoperative tumor therapy.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a wearable patch integrating thermoelectric nanorods, enzymatic components, and a zwitterionic hydrogel.
• Utilizing localized cold stimulation to trigger thermoelectrocatalytic generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species.
• Evaluating the patch's effects on immune cell infiltration, antigen presentation, cytokine secretion, and wound healing in vivo.

Main Results:

• The patch successfully generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, promoting antigen presentation and immune cell infiltration.
• Thermoelectrical cues and nitric oxide (NO) signaling accelerated fibroblast migration, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling.
• In vivo studies confirmed suppression of residual tumor proliferation and distant metastasis, alongside significantly improved wound healing quality.

Conclusions:

• The developed thermoelectrocatalytic patch offers a unified strategy for activating immune responses and promoting tissue repair.
• This approach effectively combats residual tumors and enhances postoperative recovery.
• The wearable patch represents a promising paradigm for advanced postoperative cancer treatment.