4D‐Printed Sandwich‐Structured Metamaterial Intestinal Stents for Palliative Tumor Therapy

Abstract

ABSTRACT Intestinal obstruction is a common complication caused by colorectal cancer, and the implantation of stents has become an indispensable palliative treatment strategy for non‐surgical eligible patients. However, the lack of sustained anti‐tumor efficacy and wear caused by configuration or deformation discrepancies has led to the recurrence of stenosis, posing a significant challenge in clinical treatment. Here, we reported an intestine‐specific, application‐driven 4D‐printed sandwich‐structured metamaterial intestinal stent platform, achieving the triple goals of sustained anti‐tumor effects, customized configuration and performance, and rapid relief of intestinal obstruction. Specifically, the platform comprised an outer Janus layer designed for synergistic photothermal‐and‐drug anti‐tumor effects, an intermediate layer of biomimetic gradient metamaterials for structural support and coordinated deformation, and a hydrophobic inner layer to mitigate the risk of restenosis. Overall, this study presented a multifunctional intestinal stent built upon a scalable design paradigm, offering an innovative and clinically translatable therapeutic strategy for personalized colorectal cancer management.