Wireless implant delivers chemotherapy deep into tumors without side effects

Researchers have developed a wireless implantable drug delivery system that enables anticancer drugs to penetrate deep into solid tumors – without harming surrounding healthy tissue.

The multidisciplinary team, led by experts in materials science, bioelectronics, and pharmaceutical engineering, offers a new strategy to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy while minimizing side effects.

Solid tumors, due to their dense cellular architecture and elevated interstitial pressure, have long resisted conventional drug therapies. Anticancer drugs delivered via injection often remain trapped in the outer regions of a tumor, requiring high systemic doses to achieve therapeutic effect. This approach increases the risk of severe side effects such as immune suppression, gastrointestinal toxicity, and the rapid emergence of drug resistance.

To solve this challenge, the research team developed the Dual-Phoretic Wireless Drug Delivery System (DPw-DDS) – a fully implantable device that uses two ionic transport mechanisms.

Importantly, the system is wirelessly powered using Near-Field Communication (NFC), allowing fully untethered operation without the need for external wiring or batteries. All essential drug delivery steps – storage, release, penetration, and dosing – are integrated into a single, compact device designed for subcutaneous implantation.

Image source: Choi et al. (2025), Science Advances.