(175au) Tumor-Targeted Miniature Device for Bioimpedance Measurement and Treatment

Conventionally manufactured for efficient energy and data transfer, optical fibers today are used in varying fields including optogenetics and neuroscience. However, merging fiber optics with therapeutics against cancer has scarcely been reported. We propose to establish a versatile polymer/drug integrated optical fiber for both diagnosis and treatment of cancers, with minimum mechanical invasiveness. Release profiles of polymer/drug nanoparticles loaded onto our fibers, regardless of their hydrophilicity, can be adjusted to accommodate both short-term and long-term delivery specifications. This enhances intratumoral drug accumulation with minimal systemic toxicity, thus overcoming the dosing obstacle. The optical fibers are also ideal tools to perform photodynamic therapy (PDT). Photosensitizers are easily incorporated and activated by near-infrared light traveling through the fibers. Hollow channel within the optical fiber allows for repetitive on-demand delivery of immune checkpoint inhibitors to surrounding tumor tissue, thus stimulating and reactivating cytotoxic and helper T cells. A synergistic combination of PDT and immunotherapy enhances the tumor-targeted treatment outcome. Lastly, our optical fibers are adaptable to integrate biosensing functionality. Devices are built upon the optical fibers to monitor treatment outcome along tumor regression. Based on our preliminary data, a relationship is found between tumor progress and impedance fluctuations. An equivalent circuit model is adopted to help gain better insight into the resulting impedance spectra. Through the circuit model, we are able to acquire data fit with minimum χ² (chi-squared).