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 (M0-RAW264.7). PPV is excited by the OLED to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), enabling the macrophages to polarize to the M1 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.