Mayo Clinic Lab Develops Biomaterial for Liver Tumors
On October 31, 2026, Mayo Clinic reported that its Laboratory for Patient-Inspired Engineering is developing novel biomaterials to treat solid tumors, including a new investigational therapy for liver cancer. Led by Rahmi Oklu, M.D., Ph.D., an interventional radiologist, the lab’s approach uses a proprietary biomaterial that functions as a concentrated designer salt to destroy tumor cells upon injection.
Preclinical Data and Ionic Liquid Technology
Published in Advanced Materials, a preclinical study demonstrated that the ionic liquid technology produced uniform tumor ablation. The therapy also sustained the release of doxorubicin for up to 56 days while preserving nivolumab activity and prompting an antitumor immune response in animal models. Dr. Oklu has spearheaded the application of this intratumoral therapy for patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Clinical Trials and Treatment Delivery
Dr. Oklu has completed clinical trials showing tumor ablation in all treated patients and is awaiting regulatory approval in Europe. The procedure requires only local anesthesia and takes a few minutes, allowing physicians to confirm treatment success via MRI within an hour. According to Mayo Clinic, approximately 34 patients have received the investigational biomaterial treatment without observed treatment-related adverse events. The hyperosmolar environment created by the percutaneous injection rapidly draws water out of tumor cells to rupture cellular membranes, while the material’s antimicrobial activity potentially lowers infection risks.
Expanding Beyond Liver Cancer
While current clinical efforts focus on liver cancer indications, the laboratory aims to build a universal material for tissue ablation. Researchers are actively investigating applications for prostate, brain, lung, breast, and pancreas tumors, alongside newer iterations designed to improve drug delivery and treat difficult infections. Dr. Oklu’s team is pursuing European regulatory review for the liver indication while advancing a related investigational therapy for prostate cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions About the New Therapy
How does the investigational biomaterial destroy tumor cells?
Following a percutaneous injection, the proprietary biomaterial creates a hyperosmolar environment that rapidly draws water out of tumor cells. This process causes cellular membranes to rupture, resulting in immediate cell death before the material washes away from the body over the next few hours.
Which specific liver cancers are targeted by this treatment?
Dr. Oklu developed the intratumoral therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who may not be candidates for surgical resection due to underlying liver disease, tumor location, or medical comorbidities.
What regulatory status does the therapy currently hold in Europe?
Having completed clinical trials that demonstrated tumor ablation in all treated patients, Dr. Oklu is awaiting regulatory approval for the liver indication in Europe.