LANTERN study seeks to prevent future infections after surgery

When preparing a patient for surgery, preventing infection is a priority for any health-care team, given that infections may lead to complications that can slow recovery. 

This emphasis on cleanliness and sterilization has researchers at the University of Calgary studying a particular body part that can inadvertently transport harmful bacteria into the operating room: the nose. 

Researchers at UCalgary's W21C Research and Innovation Centre are engaged in an ongoing international trial using light-activated antimicrobial therapy, also known as photodisinfection, as a way of reducing infection without increasing antimicrobial resistance.

The Steriwave Nasal Photodisinfection System, developed by Vancouver-based Ondine Biomedical Inc., is being used in the Light-Activated Antimicrobial Therapy to Prevent Surgical Site Infections (LANTERN) randomized clinical crossover trial. The trial, sponsored by Ondine, involves more than 5,000 patients across Canada and the U.S.

This trial involves preventive treatment using a specialized solution applied to the nose. When a device that shines a red light at a precise wavelength is inserted, it destroys bacteria, viruses and fungi in the applied area. Human cells are unharmed through the process, and the impact against the targeted bacteria can last several hours.

The human nose is a known source of bacteria that may promote infection. Among the most common culprits is Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that resides harmlessly on the skin or in the nasal passages, but can cause serious infections if it enters the body through a surgical wound.

Infectious disease physician and UCalgary professor Dr. John Conly, MD, says everyday behaviours can inadvertently increase infection risk.

“We unconsciously touch our nose quite a bit throughout the day," he says. "And, particularly if you go in for surgery, that's the last thing you think about — your nose gets itchy, you are going to instinctively rub it. And then, if you scratch your wound, you can spread the bacterium to a fresh wound and then develop a wound infection.

“This treatment acts as a burst of sunlight to knock out all the microbes that are present,” says Conly, lead investigator of the Calgary site of the international clinical trial.

Researchers are gathering evidence as to whether photodisinfection offers a simple, yet powerful addition to existing infection control protocols. Unlike antibiotics, photodisifection does not contribute to antimicrobial resistance, making it a more attractive option in an era where drug-resistant pathogens can be present. The treatment effectively acts as a targeted antimicrobial burst, eliminating a broad spectrum of pathogens in minutes. 

Research support from UCalgary

While observational research prior to the LANTERN study found photodisinfection had potential, the study’s goal is to add to the research evidence through a randomized clinical trial. 

The trial accounts for the everyday complexities of a modern hospital — diverse surgical specialties, varying patient needs and the fast pace of an operating room. It is the critical step in determining if this light-activated approach should become a standard part of the surgical journey, offering a practical way to further reduce the risk of post-operative complications for patients. 

W21C has played a pivotal role in executing the LANTERN trial in Calgary, becoming the highest-enrolling site in Canada. 

“When it comes to clinical trials, speed and expertise matter,” says Michelle Wright, manager, strategic programs – clinical innovation at W21C. “Our embedded team of trained professionals can mobilize across multiple sites in a fraction of the time it typically takes, turning ambitious timelines into reality. The LANTERN study is a testament to what a well-connected team can deliver.”

Carolyn Cross, chief executive officer of Ondine Biomedical, emphasizes the importance of strong clinical partnerships in advancing patient-focused innovation. 

“The LANTERN study demonstrates what can be achieved when experienced clinical research teams and industry work together toward a shared goal of improving patient care," Cross says. "Through collaboration, complex studies such as this continue to advance a broader pipeline of light-activated antimicrobial therapies.”   

The patients who make the science work  

This study uses a crossover trial approach with a group-randomized design, meaning hospitals — not individual patients — are assigned to either the treatment approach or standard hospital care for a period of time and then crossed over for a similar time period. The group receiving standard care serves as the control group, providing a clear benchmark for measuring the intervention’s effect, helping researchers determine whether a treatment is valid. 

Researchers also acknowledged the critical role study participants play in advancing the research through clinical trials. 

“I was sitting there in the waiting room, waiting for my surgery,” says Sabine Moritz. “It was my first surgery ever, and I was approached to see if I’d be willing to learn about a clinical trial. I thought, ‘Yes — this is exactly the distraction I need right now.’” 

Moritz is no stranger to studies like this, having built a career in clinical research. She is currently provincial director of clinical trials at the Cumming School of Medicine, and she sees studies like the one she is participating in as essential to improving public health. 

“It’s great to see a study like this in action in a real health-care setting,” she says. “Clinical trials are sometimes conducted in university research environments, somewhat removed from everyday care. But this one is happening right in the hospital, just before surgery — asking important questions and generating evidence that can one day improve the care provided.” 

With ongoing clinical research like the LANTERN study, light-activated antimicrobial therapy may advance toward a more central role in reducing surgical complications and improving patient outcomes. Study recruitment wrapped up in April, and researchers are now diving into data analysis — an exciting chapter that brings researchers closer to understanding how this light‑activated therapy could transform surgical care.