Tao Lu

My research focuses on developing light-controlled strategies for precise and localised cancer treatment. Many current photothermal therapies rely on synthetic nanoparticles to convert light into heat. However, nanoparticles often penetrate tumours unevenly and may remain in the body for prolonged periods, limiting their clinical translation.

During my PhD, I investigated whether lysosomes—the acidic recycling compartments inside cells—could instead be used as natural intracellular targets for light-triggered therapy. Certain small molecules, including the approved anticancer drug sunitinib, spontaneously accumulate at high concentrations inside lysosomes. When exposed to a short laser pulse, these drug-loaded lysosomes can generate transient vapour bubbles. The rapid formation and collapse of these bubbles mechanically damage tumour cells within the illuminated area, enabling spatially controlled treatment without requiring synthetic photothermal nanoparticles.

I study this principle in cancer cell lines, three-dimensional tumour spheroids and patient-derived tumour models. My research aims to determine how drug accumulation, tumour characteristics and laser parameters influence treatment efficacy and selectivity, and to identify conditions suitable for further preclinical development.

This work connects pharmaceutical sciences, cancer cell biology, photonics, microscopy and patient-derived tumour modelling. It contributes to cancer research by introducing a broadly applicable strategy that may overcome limitations associated with nanoparticle delivery while restricting damage to the treated region. In the longer term, this approach could support the development of minimally invasive, locally controlled therapies for accessible solid tumours.
 

I hold a Master of Engineering degree and am currently completing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ghent University under the supervision of Prof. Stefaan De Smedt and Prof. Koen Raemdonck. My doctoral research focuses on lysosome-targeted and light-triggered strategies for cancer treatment.

My principal contribution has been the development of a nanoparticle-free photomechanical approach in which light-sensitive small molecules accumulate inside lysosomes and enable laser-induced vapour-bubble formation for spatially controlled tumour-cell ablation. As first author of the manuscript reporting this concept, submitted to *Science Advances*, I contributed to the experimental development and validation of the strategy in cancer cell lines, three-dimensional tumour spheroids and patient-derived tumour models.

My research combines pharmaceutical sciences, cancer biology, photonics and advanced microscopy. It has involved close collaboration with researchers specialising in laser technology, imaging, pathology and patient-derived cancer models. Through this multidisciplinary work, I aim to translate fundamental knowledge of intracellular drug distribution into innovative and clinically relevant approaches for localised cancer treatment.
 

• Lab address: Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Campus Heymans, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent
• Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy
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• Tao Lu is interested to receive invitations for talks or presentations