Implant could strengthen cancer cell therapy

Microparticles that “recharge” anti-cancer cells. Pic/Haochen Nan and Song Li/UCLA

Ucla researchers have developed an implantable device that acts like a "charging station" for cancer-fighting immune cells, helping them stay active for longer and attack tumours more effectively.

Detailed in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the platform is designed to support CAR-iNKT cells, which has shown potential against both solid tumours and blood cancers but often loses strength after entering the body.

The device uses biomimetic microparticles implanted near a tumour to attract these cells and reactivate them with localised signals. Researchers said it could improve future cancer immunotherapies.