Optical fiber solutions for laser ablation of tissue and immunostimulating interstitial laser thermotherapy – Product development in the network of developers, industry and users

Abstract: Clinical Laserthermia Systems AB (CLS) has developed a treatment protocol named immunostimulating interstitial laser thermotherapy (imILTCLS) which is intended to improve current treatment regimens for metastatic cancer diseases. It aims at a controlled local tumor ablation with a subsequent release of tumor specific antigens resulting in a systemic immune activation against the remaining cancer cells. The approach has its origins in the laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy procedure and is based on a proprietary and patented technique to optimize the immunological effect. CLS has gained know-how through long experience both in clinical and pre-clinical studies of the application, laser technology, thermometry, and expertise in regulatory affairs. However, CLS does not have the in-house expertise required for fiber development and production. Therefore the company has actively searched for industrial partners to collaborate with on the design and development of a fiber delivery system tailored to imILTCLS. The aim of this collaboration is to design an application-specific laser fiber that allows the treatment of a wider range of tumors with a single treatment and overcomes the limitations of currently available laser fibers, such as the limited achievable lesion sizes due the maximum power that can be used without carbonizing tissue. The present contribution gives a short overview about the current development steps within the network of developers, industry and users.