In a groundbreaking advance that could revolutionize the treatment of pancreatic cancer, researchers have unveiled a precision laser technique that selectively destroys pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. PDAC, the most common and lethal form of pancreatic cancer, poses significant therapeutic challenges largely due to its invasive nature and the fragile anatomy of the pancreas. The new approach, spearheaded by Houkun Liang and his team at Sichuan University, exploits the unique molecular signature of PDAC tumors, particularly their abundant collagen content, to achieve unparalleled selectivity and efficacy in tumor ablation.
Conventional ablation therapies, which include the application of heat, chemical agents, or non-specific laser wavelengths, often struggle to discriminate between cancerous and normal pancreatic tissue. This lack of precision frequently leads to collateral damage, exacerbating post-operative complications and impairing organ function. Recognizing these limitations, Liang’s group sought a novel strategy that capitalizes on tumor-specific molecular characteristics to improve accuracy and safety. By identifying a laser wavelength precisely tuned to the collagen absorption peak within PDAC tumors, they developed a femtosecond mid-infrared laser system capable of selectively targeting the malignancy.
Central to this innovation is the utilization of a 6.1-micron wavelength laser, which aligns closely with the vibrational absorption bands of collagen fibers. Collagen is markedly overexpressed in PDAC tumor stroma compared to healthy pancreatic tissue, making it an ideal endogenous biomarker for selective targeting. Employing femtosecond pulses—ultrafast bursts of laser energy—maximizes the ablation effect while minimizing thermal diffusion, thereby preserving adjacent non-cancerous structures. This molecular resonance strategy, distinct from conventional photothermal ablation, leverages the intrinsic biochemical disparity between tumor and normal tissue to effect precise surgical intervention.
The team collaborated with experts from Nanyang Technological University to enhance clinical deliverability by incorporating an anti-resonant hollow-core fiber with an outer diameter under 400 microns. This cutting-edge fiber optic cable ensures efficient transmission of the mid-infrared laser light into the human body, with bending losses maintained below 1 dB/m even at clinically relevant curvature radii. Engineered for durability with biocompatible polyimide jackets and sapphire endcaps, the fiber facilitates minimally invasive access deep within the pancreatic region, overcoming major practical barriers to deploying mid-infrared laser therapy in vivo.
Extensive ex vivo experimentation on tumor samples obtained from 13 patients demonstrated that this wavelength-selective ablation method outperforms traditional non-resonant wavelengths, such as 1 or 3 microns, by two to three times in tumor destruction efficiency. Histological analyses confirmed substantial tumor eradication accompanied by remarkable preservation of normal pancreatic parenchyma. These findings suggest a substantial leap forward toward reducing the morbidity associated with standard surgical or thermal ablation approaches, which frequently compromise organ function and patient quality of life.
This technology’s clinical promise extends beyond improved efficacy; it holds the potential to fundamentally change the therapeutic landscape of pancreatic cancer by enabling safer, less invasive tumor resections. By sparing healthy tissue, this laser system could significantly curtail the risk of complications such as pancreatic fistula, infection, and exocrine or endocrine insufficiency. Moreover, its adaptability offers physicians a powerful tool to tailor treatments individually based on tumor molecular composition, marking a pioneering stride toward precision oncology modalities that extend well past current standards.
Future work aims to refine laser parameters and fiber configuration to optimize ablation depth, uniformity, and stability during clinical procedures. Integration with optical coherence tomography is underway to enable real-time imaging-guided tumor margin delineation and immediate therapeutic feedback. This combined diagnostic-therapeutic platform aspires to perform simultaneous cancer detection and ablation, potentially supporting intraoperative decision-making with unprecedented accuracy.
Beyond pancreatic cancer, this molecular resonance laser strategy could be adapted for other malignancies characterized by distinctive extracellular matrix compositions or molecular aberrations. Tumors rich in specific biomolecules might become amenable to similarly selective ablation, opening a new frontier in laser oncology where treatment specificity is dictated by intrinsic tissue biochemistry rather than extrinsic energy delivery parameters alone. Such an approach could fundamentally shift laser-assisted cancer therapy paradigms across diverse tumor types and anatomical locations.
Despite its profound potential, translation into clinical practice will require meticulous biological safety evaluations and rigorous clinical trials to establish long-term safety profiles, optimal dosing, and efficacy benchmarks. The research team emphasizes the need for structured studies that assess risks alongside therapeutic benefits to pave the way for regulatory approvals and widespread adoption. Refinement of the integrated laser and fiber delivery system also remains a priority to ensure ease of use, patient safety, and procedural reliability in operating rooms and endoscopy suites.
This pioneering research, published in the high-impact optics journal Optica, underscores the transformative role of photonics in modern medicine. By harnessing the specificity of molecular absorption signatures, this laser ablation technology exemplifies how interdisciplinary innovation at the junction of optics, engineering, and oncology can yield tangible clinical breakthroughs. As the relentless quest to tame pancreatic cancer continues, such advances bring hope for more effective, less invasive therapies that preserve life and improve outcomes for patients worldwide.
Selective tumor ablation using femtosecond mid-infrared lasers resonant with collagen represents a paradigm shift in targeted cancer therapy, emphasizing molecular fingerprinting to navigate the complexity of tumor biology. This work not only advances the state of the art in pancreatic cancer treatment but also sets a precedent for leveraging molecular resonances for precision tissue ablation in the future. By reducing collateral damage and enhancing treatment selectivity, it opens a promising path toward safer, minimally invasive surgical options that ultimately may save countless lives.
Subject of Research: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) selective ablation using femtosecond mid-infrared laser technology targeting collagen molecular absorption.
Article Title: Selective tumor ablation via femtosecond laser resonant with collagen.
Web References:
- Optica Journal: https://opg.optica.org/optica/abstract.cfm?doi=10.1364/OPTICA.561337
- Sichuan University: https://en.scu.edu.cn/
- Nanyang Technological University: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/
References:
D. Zhang, X. Huang, X. Yang, N. Xia, K. Tian, J. Guo, M. Xiang, L. He, Z. Fu, A. Deng, H. Wu, Y. Wang, W. Chang, B. Tian, J. Xiong, Q. Wang, A. Gomes, H. Liang, “Selective tumor ablation via femtosecond laser resonant with collagen,” Optica, vol. 12, pp. 1578-1586, 2025. DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.561337.
Image Credits: Houkun Liang, Sichuan University.
Keywords: Cancer research, pancreatic cancer, tumor ablation, femtosecond laser, mid-infrared laser, collagen targeting, selective tissue ablation, minimally invasive surgery, photonics in medicine, laser oncology, molecular fingerprinting, optical fiber delivery.
