A biophotonic device based on a conjugated polymer and a macrophage-laden hydrogel for triggering immunotherapy

A biophotonic device is fabricated by a 3D printing technique for tumor immunotherapy utilizing a flexible organic light-emitting diode (OLED) with deep blue emission and a gelatin-alginate hydrogel that contains a poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivative and live immune cells of macrophages (M-0-RAW264.7). PPV is excited by the OLED to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), enabling the macrophages to polarize to the M-1 phenotype and secrete cytotoxic cytokines to induce the apoptosis of tumor cells. This strategy provides a new method for fabricating cell-involved biophotonic devices for immunotherapy.