Illuminating cancer therapy: The translational path of optogenetics.
Abstract:
Tumor recurrence, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance remain major challenges in oncology, driving the need for advanced therapeutic strategies with improved precision and controllability. Optogenetics, which enables light-mediated regulation of cellular functions, has emerged as a promising modality for cancer therapy by offering unparalleled spatiotemporal precision. This capability allows dynamic control of intracellular signaling and transgene expression, enabling selective targeting of malignant cells while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. However, clinical translation is hindered by key challenges, including inefficient in vivo delivery of optogenetic components, limited tissue penetration of activating light, and suboptimal performance of existing tools. Addressing these barriers requires a convergence of molecular engineering and materials science, wherein advanced biomaterials play a critical role in enabling gene delivery and overcoming tissue-penetration limitations in complex tumor environments. In this review, we provide a comprehensive oriented overview of optogenetics in oncology. We first analyze the molecular mechanisms and engineering principles of representative optogenetic tools, with a focus on LOV- and CRY2-based systems. We then highlight recent advances in biomaterial-assisted optogene delivery and light delivery strategies, emphasizing their material-dependent mechanisms that enable precise spatiotemporal control in vivo. Furthermore, we summarize emerging preclinical applications in cancer immunotherapy, gene regulation, and intracellular signaling control. Finally, we discuss key challenges in biosafety, kinetic optimization, and clinical scalability, and outline future directions that integrate optogenetics with functional materials and intelligent design to realize clinically viable platforms. This review aims to provide a framework for the development of clinically viable optogenetic platforms for next-generation cancer therapy.
