Fiber‐Optic Theranostics (FOT): Interstitial Fiber‐Optic Needles for Cancer Sensing and Therapy

• Published in: Advanced science 2022-05, Vol.9 (15), p.e2200456-n/a
• Main Authors: Ran, Yang, Xu, Zhiyuan, Chen, Minfeng, Wang, Wei, Wu, Yang, Cai, Jiexuan, Long, Junqiu, Chen, Zhe‐Sheng, Zhang, Dongmei, Guan, Bai‐Ou
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Cancer therapies; Efficiency; Endoscopy; Fever; Fiber Optic Technology; fiber optics; fluorescent sensing; Heat; Humans; Hyperthermia; Hypoxia; Lasers; Light; Needles; Neoplasms - diagnosis; Neoplasms - therapy; Optical Fibers; Optics; photothermal therapy; precise tumor theranostics; Precision Medicine; Sensors; Tumors
• ISSN: 2198-3844; 2198-3844
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.202200456

Photonics has spurred a myriad of diagnostic and therapeutic applications for defeating cancer owing to its superiority in spatiotemporal maneuverability and minimal harm. The limits of light penetration depth and elusiveness of photosensitizer utilization, however, impede the implementation of the photodiagnostic and ‐therapy for determining and annihilating the deep‐situated tumor. Herein, a promising strategy that harnesses functional optical fibers is developed and demonstrated to realize an in vivo endoscopic cancer sensing and therapy ensemble. Tumor detection is investigated using hypoxia‐sensitive fluorescent fibers to realize fast and accurate tumor recognition and diagnosis. The tumor treatment is further performed by exploiting the endogenous photothermal effect of rare‐earth‐doped optical fibers. The eradication of orthotopic and subcutaneous xenografts significantly validates the availability of tumoricidal fibers. The strategy opens horizons to inspire the design of optical fiber‐mediated “plug and play” precise tumor theranostics with high safety, which may intrigue broader fields, such as fiber optics, materials, chemistry, medicine, and clinics. The limit of light penetration depth impedes the implementation of the photodiagnostic and ‐therapy. This work allows optical fibers to perform a “plug and play” detector and killer for determining and annihilating the deep situated tumor. The “freighters to fighters” twist opens a starting point for building the scalable platform dubbed as “medicine‐on‐a‐fiber.”