Multifunctional LA and PTMC coating for biliary stents to combat cholangiocarcinoma proliferation in obstruction

Licorice-derived licochalcone A (LA) has antitumor effects, while conventional PTMC-coated biliary stents relieve malignant biliary obstruction but lack tumor-suppressive function and suffer from in-stent restenosis. This study fabricated an LA-loaded PTMC composite stent coating via favorable material compatibility for local sustained drug delivery. The coating improves surface hydrophobicity, enables stable LA release and good biocompatibility, and efficiently inhibits cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal cancer cell growth and tumor progression. LA exerts antitumor activity by regulating the CYP19A1-mediated GPR30-AKT pathway. This dual-functional coating offers a feasible strategy for clinical biliary stent modification and local tumor intervention.