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Injectable Optoelectronic Probe With In Situ Photoactivation and ROS Monitoring for Oxygen-Dependent Metronomic
Jagyeong Goo1, Gyan Raj Koirala2,3, Taeyeon Lee4
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 10, 2026
Summary
This study introduces an injectable probe for metronomic photodynamic therapy (mPDT) that uses microLEDs and oxygen monitoring. This approach enhances cancer treatment efficacy by guiding therapy based on oxygen levels in deep tumors.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) faces limitations in treating deep tumors due to poor light penetration and treatment-induced hypoxia.
- Current PDT methods struggle to address intratumoral oxygen level fluctuations, impacting therapeutic outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an injectable optoelectronic probe for metronomic PDT (mPDT) combined with real-time oxygen monitoring.
- To engineer light-activatable prodrug nanoparticles (PNPs) for synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy in deep tumors.
Main Methods:
- An injectable probe with microscale light-emitting diodes (microLEDs) and a photodetector system was developed for oxygen monitoring.
- Light-activatable prodrug nanoparticles (PNPs) were engineered, comprising verteporfin (VPF), a cathepsin B-cleavable peptide (FRRG), and doxorubicin (DOX).
- Colon tumor-bearing mice were treated with PNPs and oxygen-guided mPDT, with oxygen dynamics monitored in situ.
Main Results:
- PNPs demonstrated high tumor accumulation via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect.
- The microLED-photodetector probe successfully monitored intratumoral oxygen dynamics in real-time.
- Periodic oxygen depletion and recovery (0.1 Hz for 1.5 h) significantly improved therapeutic efficacy compared to continuous PDT (p = 0.0047).
Conclusions:
- Oxygen-guided mPDT combined with light-activatable PNPs offers a minimally invasive strategy for synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy.
- This approach shows potential for treating deep-seated tumors with improved efficacy and favorable biocompatibility.