125 - A Novel Nano-functionalized Silicone-covered Stent-mediated Local Thermal Ablation for the Prevention of Tracheal In-stent Restenosis: Feasibility Evaluation in a Rat Model

Monday, April 13, 2026

3:54 PM - 4:03 PM ET

Presenting Author(s)

YF

Yan Fu, MD, MS

Fellow
Department of Interventional Therapy & Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China., China (People's Republic)

Author/Co-author(s)

XZ

Xiaowu Zhang, MD

Attending physician
Department of Interventional Therapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China., China (People's Republic)
JT

Jiaywei Tsauo, MD, PhD

Attending physician
Department of Interventional Radiology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China., China (People's Republic)
XH

Xiaoyu Huang, MD

Fellow
Department of Interventional Therapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China., China (People's Republic)
YL

Yuxi Liu, BS

Technologist
Department of Interventional Therapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China., China (People's Republic)
BG

Bowen Gao, BS

Technologist
Department of Interventional Therapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China., China (People's Republic)
YG

Yibo Gao, MD, PhD

Professor
Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China., China (People's Republic)
XL

Xiao Li, MD, PhD

Cheif
Department of Interventional Therapy, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China., China (People's Republic)

Purpose: Incidence of central airway obstruction has significantly increased in the post-COVID-19 era. Airway stenting is one of the major strategies for the management of airway obstruction, but its effectiveness is limited by in-stent restenosis. This study aimed to develop a novel photothermal stent and evaluate its potential for preventing tracheal in-stent restenosis preclinically.

Materials and Methods: The AuNPs-integrated silicon-covered stents (AuNPs stent) were fabricated via dip coating method, and the surficial properties were characterized using optical microscope. The gold content of each stent was measured by ICP-MS. The photothermal characteristics were assessed using an 808 nm NIR laser system and an infrared thermal camera. To evaluate the feasibility of the stents in preventing tracheal in-stent restenosis, a total of eighteen 10-week-old healthy SD rats were randomized to receive control silicone-covered stents only (Group A), AuNPs stent only (Group B), or AuNPs stent plus NIR (Group C). Sham operation or tracheal NIR was perfomer on POD 14 days after stent insertion. Follow-up fluoroscopy, histological changes and hepatorenal function were examined on POD 28. Additionally, the concentration of inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were evaluated.

Results: AuNPs stents were successfully developed, containing a mean amount of 4179.09 μg per stent. Compared to control stent, AuNPs-stents demonstrated significant photothermal effect. Under NIR irradiation (0.5 W), the mean surface temperatures were as follows: NIR fiber, 32.8°C; control stent, 37.8°C; AuNP-functionalized stent, 55.4°C. In the rat experiment of tracheal stent insertion, Group C showed significant reduction in the submucosal thickness, the inflammation score, and the percentage of collagen staining compared to Group A and Group B (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between Group A and Group B (p > 0.05). Compared with Groups A and B, animals in Group C did not increase the risk of pulmonary inflammation or hepatorenal impairment (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The AuNPs-integrated silicon-covered stent with significant photothermal effect was safe and effective in preventing tracheal in-stent restenosis.

During the preparation of this work, the authors used DeepSeek-V3.1-Terminus only for language enhancement purposes. After using this tool, the authors reviewed and edited the work and take full responsibility for the content of the abstract.