Next Article in Journal
Effects of BMSC-Derived EVs on Bone Metabolism
Previous Article in Journal
Intranasal Immunization with Zika Virus Envelope Domain III-Flagellin Fusion Protein Elicits Systemic and Mucosal Immune Responses and Protection against Subcutaneous and Intravaginal Virus Challenges
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Pharmaceutics
Volume 14
Issue 5
10.3390/pharmaceutics14051015
pharmaceutics-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Review

Heptamethine Cyanine-Loaded Nanomaterials for Cancer Immuno-Photothermal/Photodynamic Therapy: A Review

by
Cátia G. Alves
1,
Rita Lima-Sousa
1,
Bruna L. Melo
1,
André F. Moreira
1,
Ilídio J. Correia
1,2,* and
Duarte de Melo-Diogo
1,*
1
CICS-UBI—Centro de Investigação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade da Beira Interior, 6200-506 Covilha, Portugal
2
CIEPQPF–Departamento de Engenharia Química, Universidade de Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(5), 1015; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14051015
Submission received: 8 April 2022 / Revised: 3 May 2022 / Accepted: 5 May 2022 / Published: 8 May 2022
Browse Figures
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
The development of strategies capable of eliminating metastasized cancer cells and preventing tumor recurrence is an exciting and extremely important area of research. In this regard, therapeutic approaches that explore the synergies between nanomaterial-mediated phototherapies and immunostimulants/immune checkpoint inhibitors have been yielding remarkable results in pre-clinical cancer models. These nanomaterials can accumulate in tumors and trigger, after irradiation of the primary tumor with near infrared light, a localized temperature increase and/or reactive oxygen species. These effects caused damage in cancer cells at the primary site and can also (i) relieve tumor hypoxia, (ii) release tumor-associated antigens and danger-associated molecular patterns, and (iii) induced a pro-inflammatory response. Such events will then synergize with the activity of immunostimulants and immune checkpoint inhibitors, paving the way for strong T cell responses against metastasized cancer cells and the creation of immune memory. Among the different nanomaterials aimed for cancer immuno-phototherapy, those incorporating near infrared-absorbing heptamethine cyanines (Indocyanine Green, IR775, IR780, IR797, IR820) have been showing promising results due to their multifunctionality, safety, and straightforward formulation. In this review, combined approaches based on phototherapies mediated by heptamethine cyanine-loaded nanomaterials and immunostimulants/immune checkpoint inhibitor actions are analyzed, focusing on their ability to modulate the action of the different immune system cells, eliminate metastasized cancer cells, and prevent tumor recurrence.

1. Introduction

Cancer survival is, in many cases, a mirage due to metastization processes and tumor relapse [1]. This harsh reality is inherently correlated with the inadequacy of classical treatments (e.g., surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) to completely eliminate metastasized cancer cells and to trigger the creation of immune memory [1,2]. To tackle these problems, researchers and clinicians have focused on developing strategies that can re-engage the immune system in the fight against local and metastasized cancer cells [1,3]. In this regard, nanomaterial-mediated immuno-phototherapy has been yielding remarkable results in preclinical models [4,5,6].
This promising therapeutic modality explores the nanomaterials’ physicochemical features for enabling tumor uptake, as well as their optical properties, which strongly influence the phototherapeutic outcome [7,8,9]. Upon irradiation of the primary tumor with light, the primary tumor-homed nanomaterials can absorb its energy, producing heat (photothermal therapy (PTT)) and/or reactive oxygen species (ROS; photodynamic therapy (PDT)) [10,11]. In brief, the photoresponsive agent absorbs light energy and is transformed into an excited state. Subsequently, part of this energy can then be released through fluorescence and heat emissions [12,13]. The excited photoresponsive agent can also go to a more stable triplet state, which can then react with oxygen, forming singlet oxygen, or react with endogenous molecules to form radicals that interact with oxygen, yielding other ROS (superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide) [12,13,14,15].
In general, photothermal heating to temperatures around 41–45 °C can induced reversible damage to cells (e.g., affect DNA repair mechanisms or metabolic pathways) or sensitize them to the action of other agents (e.g., chemotherapeutic drugs) [16]. In turn, hyperthermia of 50 °C (or above) causes irreversible damage in cells in the primary tumor (e.g., mitochondrial/enzymatic dysfunctions, protein denaturation, membrane destruction), culminating in cell death by necrosis—reviewed in detail in [16,17]. Furthermore, the photogenerated ROS are highly reactive and short-lived, inducing oxidative stress and damage to the nearby structures, leading to cell death by apoptosis (most common), necrosis, and autophagy-associated cell death [12,13]. Apoptosis generally occurs due to ROS damage in the mitochondria/endoplasmic reticulum, compared with necrosis due to damage of the plasma membrane or lysosomes [18]. Achieving appropriate ROS and temperature increase levels depends on multiple factors related to the photoresponsive nanoagent (e.g., photothermal conversion efficiency, singlet oxygen quantum yield, dose at the target site) and to laser light [19,20,21,22]. For instance, increasing the laser power density and total exposure time (by augmenting the irradiation time or applying multiple irradiation sessions) can be used to boost the attained photothermal and photodynamic effects [23,24,25,26]. Synchronizing the timepoint for the laser irradiation with the moment when nanoparticles (NPs) achieve their maximum tumor uptake can also be used to improve the therapeutic outcome [27,28,29].
These photo-triggered effects not only induced direct damage on the cancer cells at the primary site but can also (i) relieve tumor hypoxia [30,31,32], (ii) release tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) [32,33,34], and (iii) induced a pro-inflammatory response [33,35,36]. These events will then synergize with the activity of immunostimulants (toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs; e.g., IDO1 inhibitors, CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 blockers) [37,38,39]. Such synergy can pave the way for strong T cell responses against the primary tumor as well as abscopal effects on metastasized cancer cells and the creation of antitumoral immune memory [37,38].
Over the years, different types of nanomaterials with the potential to mediate such photothermal/photodynamic effects have been developed: gold nanospheres [40], gold nanorods [41], platinum NPs [42,43], and polydopamine (PDA) NPs [44,45]. Alternatively, hydrophobic small-molecules with photothermal/photodynamic capabilities (e.g., zinc(II) phthalocyanines [46,47], BODIPY™ [48,49,50], chlorin e6 [51,52,53]) have also been encapsulated in nanomaterials in order to enhance their solubility, cytocompatibility, and/or tumor uptake. Ideally, the nanostructures are exposed to laser light with a wavelength that is similar to the wavelength of the nanostructures’ maximum absorption. For instance, chlorin e6-loaded nanomaterials (λmax = 669 nm) are often irradiated with 660 nm light [54,55,56]. However, the wavelength of the laser light also plays a crucial role in nanomaterials’ phototherapies. Considering that, light in the first near-infrared window (750–1000 nm; henceforward abbreviated as NIR) has a high penetration depth and minimal off-target interactions with biological constituents (e.g., water, melanin, hemoglobin), it is highly desirable to use nanomaterials with a strong NIR light absorption in this therapeutic modality [10].
Among the different NIR light-responsive nanomaterials (e.g., graphene derivatives [57,58], gold nanorods [59,60]), those incorporating heptamethine cyanines (HCs) have received great interest [61,62,63,64,65,66]. These nanostructures can be simply prepared by loading the HCs into the hydrophobic reservoirs of the nanomaterials [61,67]. Moreover, HC-loaded nanomaterials also have a multifunctional character due to the HCs’ photothermal, photodynamic, and fluorescent properties—reviewed in detail by us and by Wang’s group [10,17,68]. In this regard, the FDA-approval status of the HC Indocyanine Green (ICG) has strongly contributed to the investigation of ICG-loaded nanomaterials for cancer immuno-PTT/PDT [69,70]. In addition to ICG = loaded nanomaterials, nanostructures incorporating IR780, IR775, IR797, and IR820 (i.e., prototypic HCs, Figure 1) have also demonstrated strong immuno-PTT/PDT performance due to their superior optical properties [37,71,72].
In this review, the application of HC-loaded nanomaterials in cancer immuno-PTT/PDT is analyzed. In Section 2, a general overview of this therapeutic approach is given. Section 3 and Section 4 analyze the application of ICG-loaded nanomaterials and proto-typic HC-loaded nanostructures in cancer immuno-PTT/PDT. Finally, an outlook of the state of the art and future directions is provided (Section 5).

2. Overview of Nanomaterial-Mediated Immuno-PTT/PDT

The photothermal and photodynamic effects mediated by HC-loaded nanomaterials can trigger a series of events that are crucial for potentiating the antitumoral immune responses [31,33,35]. For this reason, the immuno-PTT/PDT potential of these nanomaterials is being investigated for metastatic cancer treatment [32,37,73,74].
In general, this therapeutic approach starts with the intravenous administration of the nanomaterials [75,76]. Once in circulation, these nanomaterials must avoid interaction with blood components (e.g., albumin, red blood cells), uptake by liver/spleen, and rapid clearance by the kidneys [10,77,78]. This will likely increase the probability of these nanomaterials to extravasate to the tumor zone by taking advantage of abnormal static and dynamic pores occurring in the tumor vasculature [68,79,80]. The ability of nanomaterials to avoid off-target accumulation/clearance and to accumulate in the tumor zone is strongly influenced by their physicochemical properties (e.g., size, surface charge, corona composition). The impact of these features on nanomaterial biodistribution has been extensively reviewed by our and other research groups [10,81,82,83,84].
Afterward, the primary tumor (i.e., the original tumor) is irradiated with NIR light, and the nanomaterials accumulated in this zone produce a localized temperature increase and/or ROS [32,71,85]. Such effects can damage cancer cells and may be sufficiently strong to ablate the primary tumor [32,86,87]. As importantly, the nanomaterials’ photothermal/photodynamic effects can also (i) relieve tumor hypoxia [31,32], (ii) release TAAs and DAMPs (e.g., exposure of calreticulin (CRT) on cancer cells’ membrane, release ATP and high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1)) [33,34], and (iii) induced a pro-inflammatory response (Figure 2) [35,36].
For instance, Zhao and co-workers demonstrated that PTT/PDT generated by ICG-incorporating polymeric nanostructures induced CRT exposure and HMGB1 and ATP release, leading to about 2.20-fold higher dendritic cell (DC) maturation (when compared to the non-irradiated nanostructures and the control group) [32]. Moreover, the photothermal heating produced by these nanostructures also improved tumor oxygenation. This contributed to augment the tumor levels of M1-polarized (pro-inflammatory/antitumoral) tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) by 4.30-fold and to reduce the levels of M2-polarized (anti-inflammatory/protumoral) TAMs by 1.70-fold (Figure 3). Tumor hypoxia relief can also be attained or improved through the inclusion of oxygen-generating elements in the nanoformulations (e.g., CeO2 nanoparticles [88], MnO2 nanoparticles [34], catalase [89]). Tan and co-workers demonstrated that the PTT mediated by cationic lipidic nanoparticles incorporating IR780 could induced the release of TAAs and HMGB1 as well as the exposure of CRT, leading to enhanced DC maturation [33].
These nanomaterials’ photothermal/photodynamic effects can also trigger the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines [33,90], which are crucial in the recruitment/activation of immune cells and can also enhance the outcome of ICI-based therapies [12,91,92,93,94].
To further improve DC maturation, immunostimulants can be combined with the HC-loaded nanoparticles. In this regard, CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs; TLR-9 agonist), due to their hydrophilicity, can be co-administered with the nanoparticles (i.e., non-encapsulated) or incorporated in the hydrophilic shell of the HC-loaded nanoparticles [95,96,97,98]. In turn, hydrophobic immunostimulants such as R837 (Imiquimod; TLR-7 agonist) have been encapsulated in the HC-loaded nanostructures due to their hydrophobicity [69,99]. For example, Chen et al. demonstrated that the ability of the PTT mediated by ICG-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles to improve DC maturation could be further boosted by 1.24 times by including R837 in this nanoformulation [38].
Subsequently, mature DCs (mDCs) can migrate into the lymph nodes and then prime T cells for the TAA [100,101]. Despite these events, the immunosuppressive actions mediated by CTLA-4, IDO1, and PD-1/PD-L1 can still abrogate the T cells’ action on the primary and secondary tumors [102,103,104,105]. To overcome this bottleneck, ICIs have also been combined with nanomaterial-mediated PTT/PDT [38,75]. In this regard, anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, and anti-PD-L1 antibodies (Ab) are often intravenously co-administered with the nanomaterials (i.e., non-encapsulated) for performing the blockade of these receptors [38,73]. In turn, the IDO1 inhibitors, such as NLG919 or Epacadostat, due to their hydrophobic character, have been-loaded into nanomaterials’ core/reservoirs [85,106]. In general, the combination of ICIs’ action with nanomaterial-mediated PTT/PDT can starkly augment the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) populations in the tumoral sites and diminish the populations of regulatory T cells (Treg cells; immunosuppressive cells) [75,85,107], enabling the elimination of the primary tumor and abscopal effects on the secondary tumors (reviewed in Section 3 and Section 4). The combined effects arising from nanomaterial-mediated PTT/PDT and ICIs can also greatly increase the levels of memory T cells [37,38,75], which have a crucial role in decreasing the likelihood of tumor recurrence (reviewed in Section 3 and Section 4).

3. ICG-Loaded Nanomaterials in Cancer Immuno-PTT/PDT

ICG-loaded nanomaterials are among the most explored for cancer-immuno-PTT/PDT [107,108,109,110]. The FDA-approval status of ICG for angiography is certainly a key contributor to this phenomenon. The ICG-loaded nanomaterials can be used for theragnostic applications since these can produce a photothermal/photodynamic effect upon NIR laser irradiation as well as emit fluorescence [111,112].
In recent work, Huang et al. verified that the PTT mediated by ICG-loaded Poly(ethylene glycol) functionalized (PEGylated) liposomes could ablate the primary tumor and enrich the CTL/Treg cells ratio in the secondary tumors by 3.30-fold (when compared to the control) [113]. However, such effect was not able to impact the growth of the secondary tumors, which was attributed to the high expression of PD-1 and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM-3) by the secondary tumor-homed CTLs. By combining the nanomaterials’ PTT with PD-1 and TIM-3 blockade (using anti-PD-1 and anti-TIM-3 Abs), secondary tumor regression was attained.
In fact, the combination of ICG-loaded nanomaterials’ PTT/PDT capacity with immunostimulants and/or ICIs can pave the way to a remarkable therapeutic outcome [38,39,85,108]. For instance, Liu’s team prepared hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated metal organic frameworks (MOF)-loaded with ICG and R837 for application in cancer immuno-PTT [108]. The combined photothermal and immunostimulatory effects mediated by this nanosystem boosted the levels of mDCs in the lymph nodes to ≈55%, being 1.40 times greater than those attained after the sole application of nanomaterials’ PTT (ICG-loaded MOF plus NIR light) and nanomaterials’ immunostimulant delivery (ICG and R837-loaded MOF) [108]. Due to this reason, the nanomaterial-mediated PTT and R837 delivery induced 1.50 times higher CTL infiltration, thus leading to the greatest reduction in primary and distant tumor growth (Figure 4). This treatment also prompted the highest levels of memory T cells, being the only therapeutic regimen that diminished the growth of the reinoculated tumors.
In another study, Chen et al., explored the therapeutic capacity of nanoparticle-mediated PTT and R837 delivery (PLGA nanoparticles-loaded with ICG and R837 plus NIR light) followed by CTLA-4 blockade (systemic administration of anti-CTLA-4 Ab after the PTT) [38]. This combined treatment induced a remarkable effect since it could eliminate the primary and secondary tumors as well as prevent the establishment of metastases. A key contributor to this outcome was the combined treatment’s ability to improve the CTLs/Treg cell ratio in the malignant tissue. In fact, the nanoparticle-mediated PTT and R837 delivery plus CTLA-4 blockade prompted a 1.40, 15.40, 10.20, and 5.60-fold higher CTLs/Treg cell ratio than nanomaterials’ R837 delivery plus CTLA-4 blockade, nanomaterials’ PTT, nanomaterials’ R837 delivery, and CTLA-4 Ab administration, respectively. On other hand, the combined treatment also prompted the highest levels of effector memory T cells (TEM), which delayed the growth of the reinoculated tumors (Figure 5). The remaining treatments did not have a meaningful impact on tumor recurrence.
Liu and co-workers prepared PEGylated nanoparticles containing ICG and Epacadostat for cancer immuno-PTT/PDT [85]. The events triggered by the nanoparticles’ photothermal/photodynamic effects could improve DC maturation by up to 2.50-fold (the levels of mDCs in the tumor-draining lymph node (TDLN) reached 16% after nanomaterial- mediated PTT/PDT, contrasting with the 6.4% attained when non-irradiated nanoparticles were used). The nanomaterials’ PTT/PDT combined with IDO1 inhibition (performed by Epacadostat) was able to induced the elimination of the primary tumor and slow the growth of the secondary tumor. By adding PD-L1 blockers to this therapy (PEGylated nanoparticles containing ICG and Epacadostat + NIR light + Anti-PD-L1 Ab), the primary tumor was also eliminated, but the secondary tumor experienced a stronger delay in its growth. Such events were correlated with a higher CTL infiltration and higher amelioration of the CTL/Treg cells ratio in the secondary tumors after the nanomaterials’ PTT/PDT combined with IDO1 inhibition and PD-L1 blockade. In other work, Lam’s team demonstrated that the application of two treatment cycles composed of R837-loaded PEGylated ICG-based nanoparticles plus NIR light plus anti-PD-1 Ab administration could lead to the elimination of both primary and secondary tumors [39].
The immuno-PTT/PDT capability of other ICG-loaded nanomaterials is summarized in Table 1 and Table 2.

4. Prototypic HC-Loaded Nanomaterials in Cancer Immuno-PTT/PDT

Nanoparticles containing prototypic HC also hold great potential for application in cancer immuno-PTT/PDT due to their improved optical properties (reviewed in detail in [10,17,68]). Among these, IR780-loaded nanomaterials have been the most applied, followed by IR820-loaded nanostructures.
As described in Section 2, the events triggered by the nanomaterial-mediated PTT/PDT can per se support the development of antitumoral immunological responses. In this regard, Borrathybay and co-workers verified that the photothermal/photodynamic effects generated by IR780-loaded PEG-Poly(caprolactone) (PCL) nanoparticles trigger the release of DAMPs (ATP, HMGB1, CRT), leading to a 1.50- and 2-fold greater DCs’ maturation and CTLs’ infiltration when compared to the control, respectively [122]. These effects paved the way for a slight decrease in the primary tumors’ growth and reduction of the occurrence of lung metastases.
The inclusion of immunostimulants and/or ICIs in the nanomaterials’ phototherapies is crucial to further boost the therapeutic outcome [37,65,71,75,106]. For instance, Ou and co-workers prepared PEGylated Glucocorticoid-induced Cancer Necrosis Factor Receptor (GITR)-functionalized PLGA nanoparticles incorporating IR780 and Imatinib (diminishes immunosuppression mediated by Treg cells [123]) for application in cancer immuno-PTT/PDT [71]. The irradiation of these nanoparticles with NIR light stimulated the release of TAAs and HMBG1. This could augment the intratumoral levels of matured DCs to about 52%, being 2.40 times greater than those attained in the control group [71]. Moreover, the IR780 and Imatinib-loaded nanoparticles combined with NIR light also reduced the intratumoral Treg cells’ levels by 3.40-fold. Such events mediated by the nanomaterials’ immuno-PTT/PDT led to complete tumor elimination. In another work, Qian et al., developed PEG-PCL micelles-loaded with NLG919 and IR780 for application in cancer immuno-PTT [106]. By combining the IDO1 inhibitory capacity of NLG919 with the local hyperthermia produced by the micelles upon NIR laser irradiation, this treatment could ablate the primary tumor and strongly diminish the growth of the secondary tumors (Figure 6). Moreover, this combined approach also decreased the establishment of lung metastases. This outcome was correlated with the ability of the micelle-mediated immuno-PTT to greatly improve the CTLs/Treg cells ratio. In fact, the micelles’ immuno-PTT prompted a 7- and 33 times higher CTLs/Treg cells ratio than the micelles’ immunotherapy (NLG919 and IR780-loaded micelles) and micelles’ PTT (IR780-loaded micelles plus NIR light), respectively. Therefore, the micelles’ immunotherapy and micelles’ PTT were only capable of reducing the growth of the primary and secondary tumors.
In another work, Luan team prepared HA-coated IR820-loaded MOFs and Mannan-coated R837 and 1-Methyl-D-tryptophan (1MT; IDO1 inhibitor)-loaded MOFs for cancer immuno-PTT. The photothermal effect mediated by the IR820-loaded MOFs strongly stimulated DAMPs and TAAs release [37]. Such effect could improve DCs’ maturation levels from 17.6 to 33.2%. By combining the PTT capacity of IR820-loaded MOFs with the immunomodulating capacity of R837 and 1MT-loaded MOFs, the levels of mDCs could be further improved to about 42%. In vivo, the combined treatment (IR820-loaded MOFs + NIR light + R837 and 1MT-loaded MOFs) prompted the greatest enrichment in the CTL/Treg cells ratio. Such events contributed to the regression of the primary tumor and almost inhibited the growth of the secondary tumor. This combined treatment could also abolish the establishment of metastases upon reinoculation of the cancer cells, an effect attributed to the more pronounced presence of memory T cells.
Luan’s team explored the phototherapeutic potential of IR820-1MT conjugate nanoparticles in combination with Anti-PD-L1 Ab [75]. Pairing the double-ICI strategy with the PTT (IR820-1MT + NIR light + Anti-PD-L1 Ab) yielded the best therapeutic outcome (the strongest reduction in the growth of the primary and secondary tumors), due to greater DCs’ maturation, CTLs’ infiltration, and CTL/Treg ratio improvement. This approach also prompted the highest levels of TEM cells, and therefore the establishment of lung metastases did not occur after tumor reinoculation (Figure 7).
The immuno-PTT/PDT potential of other prototypic HC-loaded nanomaterials is summarized in Table 3 and Table 4.

5. Conclusions and Future Outlook

In this review, the recent progress in the application of HC-loaded nanomaterials for cancer immuno-PTT/PDT was analyzed.
Among the HC family, the ICG-loaded nanomaterials have been the most explored for this therapeutic modality, followed by those-loaded with IR780 and then by those incorporating IR820, IR797, and IR775. This trend is concomitant with the usage of these nanostructures in other areas (e.g., standalone PTT/PDT, chemo-PTT/PDT). On the one hand, the FDA-approved status of ICG has fomented the development of nanomaterials containing this NIR dye for cancer-related applications. On the other hand, prototypic HCs such as IR780 and IR820 have superior optical properties when compared to ICG, which has motivated their loading into nanomaterials aimed for cancer therapy. Despite the potential of other prototypic HCs (e.g., Cypate, IR808, IR825), these have not yet been explored for cancer immuno-PTT/PDT. Therefore, in the future, the development of nanoformulations incorporating such prototypic HCs could be interesting to fully unveil their immuno-phototherapeutic potential.
In general, the coordinated action of HC-loaded nanomaterials’ photothermal/photodynamic effects (e.g., inducers of cell death and release of TAAs/DAMPs), immunostimulants (enhancers of DCs’ maturation), and ICIs (strong modulators of CTLs and Treg cells) could elicit both local (on the primary tumor) and abscopal (on the secondary tumor/metastases) antitumoral responses. In some few cases, the magnitude of such combined effects led to the complete elimination of the primary tumor and also induced a reduction in the growth of the secondary tumor or even its elimination. These combined immuno-phototherapeutic effects also had an important role in the establishment of immune memory that could prevent/delay tumor’s recurrence. Together, these facts depict the potential of HC-loaded nanomaterials for cancer immuno-PTT/PDT.
In order to further amplify the magnitude of HC-loaded nanomaterials’ immuno-PTT/PDT, it could be interesting to (i) boost HC-loaded nanomaterials’ photothermal/photodynamic capacity, (ii) optimize the delivery regiment of immunostimulants/ICIs, and (iii) incorporate additional therapeutic agents in the combined therapy. Boosting the HC-loaded nanomaterials’ photothermal/photodynamic effects will be crucial to enhance the therapeutic outcome in the primary tumor as well as to potentially improve the release of DAMPs/TAAs, which play an important role in the abscopal antitumoral T cell responses. This could be achieved by improving HC-loaded nanomaterials’ photostability (in order to sustain the phototherapeutic effects over time) or by incorporating additional NIR responsive agents in the nano-formulations (e.g., gold nanorods, graphene derivatives) [125,126,127].
The events occurring in HC-loaded nanomaterials’ immuno-PTT/PDT set the optimal time points for the action of the immunostimulants and ICIs. Initially, the nanomaterials’ photothermal/photodynamic effects must occur to trigger TAAs/DAMPs release, which will be crucial for DC maturation. In this way, the immunostimulants’ action is best suited after the nanomaterials’ PTT/PDT. The same applies to ICIs, whose action is optimal after DC maturation. Therefore, the development of technologies that can perform the sequential delivery of nanomaterials, immunostimulants, and ICIs can potentially pave the way for an improved therapeutic outcome. In this context, hierarchically designed injectable hydrogels, microneedle patches, and scaffolds are promising tri-dimensional matrixes for performing the sequential delivery of these agents [128,129,130,131]. Finally, the inclusion of other hydrophobic agents in the nanomaterials’ core/reservoirs (e.g., chemotherapeutic drugs) or hydrophilic agents in the abovementioned tri-dimensional matrices (e.g., antitumoral peptides) can lead to an even greater therapeutic outcome by exploring synergistic interactions among the enrolled agents [9,96,132,133,134].
Despite the potential of HC-loaded nanomaterials’ immuno-PTT/PDT, this therapeutic approach still faces critical challenges before validation in clinical trials can be envisioned. So far, HC-loaded nanomaterials’ immuno-PTT/PDT has been mainly applied to treat breast and melanoma tumors and their metastases in mice. This applicability to superficial tumors is highly correlated with the penetration depth limits of NIR light [135,136]. Furthermore, human tumors are also located in deeper zones when compared to their equivalents in mice [137]. In this regard, the use of endoscopes coupled with fiber-type laser to irradiate deeper primary tumors may be an interesting strategy to address the previous limitations at the cost of increasing the procedures’ invasiveness [137].
There are also hurdles associated with the nanomaterials’ tumor-homing capacity. Classically, nanomaterials have been described to accumulate in the tumor by extravasating through the tumor’s leaky vasculature (the so-called enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect), hence being designed based on this rationale. However, a review by Wilhelm et al., highlighted that the dose of intravenously administered nanoparticles that reaches the tumor is, in many cases/studies, very low [138]. Recently, other mechanisms involved in nanomaterials’ tumor accumulation have been unveiled (e.g., dynamic vents, active transport through endothelial cells) [79,139]. In this way, it is crucial to continue to investigate the mechanisms responsible for nanomaterials’ tumor uptake after systemic administration and to optimize the nanoparticles’ physicochemical properties accordingly. Moreover, strategies aimed to modulate the tumor vasculature could be a route for mitigating this tumor uptake problem (e.g., vascular permeabilization, normalization, or disruption approaches) [140,141,142,143]. On the other hand, the encapsulation of nanomaterials in macroscale delivery systems (e.g., injectable hydrogels, microneedles) is also appealing [130,131]. These macroscale systems can be used to perform the direct delivery of nanoparticles and ICIs/immunostimulants into the tumor site, possibly avoiding the abovementioned systemic administration issues [131,144].
On the other hand, the efficacy of HC-loaded nanomaterials’ immuno-PTT/PDT has not yet been validated in larger animal models. These studies are of utmost importance since they can expose some of the limitations described above. Moreover, long-term studies are also required. Such studies are crucial to establish the safety of this approach since some possible side effects may have a delayed onset (e.g., immune-related adverse events) [145]. Moreover, the outcome of nanomaterial-mediated immuno-PTT/PDT can be, in some cases, highly heterogenous (the same also occurs in the clinic for ICIs) [106,107,110]. In this regard, finding biomarkers that can predict the therapeutic response may also be a path to push the translation of this strategy [146].
Overall, continuing this line of research based on HC-loaded nanomaterials’ immuno-PTT/PDT can unlock potent antitumoral T cell responses against local and metastasized cancer cells as well as generate immune memory that prevents tumor’s recurrence.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization: C.G.A. and D.d.M.-D.; Investigation: C.G.A., R.L.-S., B.L.M., A.F.M. and D.d.M.-D.; Writing—original draft preparation: C.G.A.; Writing—review and editing: A.F.M., I.J.C. and D.d.M.-D.; Supervision: I.J.C. and D.d.M.-D.; Project administration: I.J.C.; Funding acquisition: I.J.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was developed within the scope of the CICS-UBI projects UIDB/00709/2020 and UIDP/00709/2020, financed by national funds through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)/MCTES. The funding from CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-028989 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031462 is also acknowledged. Duarte de Melo-Diogo acknowledges CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-028989 for the funding given in the form of a research contract. Duarte de Melo-Diogo also acknowledges FCT for the financial support given through a Junior Researcher contract (2021.00590.CEECIND). Bruna L. Melo acknowledges POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031462 for the funding given in the form of a research fellowship and funding from individual Ph.D. fellowship from FCT (2021.06044.BD). Cátia G. Alves and Rita Lima-Sousa acknowledge funding from individual Ph.D. fellowships from FCT (SFRH/BD/145386/2019 and SFRH/BD/144922/2019).

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Data sharing not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Zhang, P.; Zhai, Y.; Cai, Y.; Zhao, Y.; Li, Y. Nanomedicine-based immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer metastasis. Adv. Mater. 2019, 31, 1904156. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  2. Alix-Panabières, C.; Pantel, K. Challenges in circulating tumour cell research. Nat. Rev. Cancer 2014, 14, 623–631. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  3. Farkona, S.; Diamandis, E.P.; Blasutig, I.M. Cancer immunotherapy: The beginning of the end of cancer? BMC Med. 2016, 14, 73. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  4. Lima-Sousa, R.; Melo, B.L.; Alves, C.G.; Moreira, A.F.; Mendonça, A.G.; Correia, I.J.; de Melo-Diogo, D. Combining Photothermal-Photodynamic Therapy Mediated by Nanomaterials with Immune Checkpoint Blockade for Metastatic Cancer Treatment and Creation of Immune Memory. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2021, 31, 2010777. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  5. Ng, C.W.; Li, J.; Pu, K. Recent progresses in phototherapy-synergized cancer immunotherapy. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2018, 28, 1804688. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  6. Rajendrakumar, S.K.; Uthaman, S.; Cho, C.-S.; Park, I.-K. Nanoparticle-based phototriggered cancer immunotherapy and its domino effect in the tumor microenvironment. Biomacromolecules 2018, 19, 1869–1887. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Chen, Y.; Shen, X.; Han, S.; Wang, T.; Zhao, J.; He, Y.; Chen, S.; Deng, S.; Wang, C.; Wang, J. Irradiation pretreatment enhances the therapeutic efficacy of platelet-membrane-camouflaged antitumor nanoparticles. J. Nanobiotechnol. 2020, 18, 101. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Li, J.; Cui, D.; Huang, J.; He, S.; Yang, Z.; Zhang, Y.; Luo, Y.; Pu, K. Organic semiconducting pro-nanostimulants for near-infrared photoactivatable cancer immunotherapy. Angew. Chem. 2019, 131, 12810–12817. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Zhang, J.; Zhang, D.; Li, Q.; Jiang, Y.; Song, A.; Li, Z.; Luan, Y. Task-specific design of immune-augmented nanoplatform to enable high-efficiency tumor immunotherapy. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2019, 11, 42904–42916. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Alves, C.G.; Lima-Sousa, R.; de Melo-Diogo, D.; Louro, R.O.; Correia, I.J. IR780 based nanomaterials for cancer imaging and photothermal, photodynamic and combinatorial therapies. Int. J. Pharm. 2018, 542, 164–175. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  11. Hou, Y.-J.; Yang, X.-X.; Liu, R.-Q.; Zhao, D.; Guo, C.-X.; Zhu, A.-C.; Wen, M.-N.; Liu, Z.; Qu, G.-F.; Meng, H.-X. Pathological Mechanism of Photodynamic Therapy and Photothermal Therapy Based on Nanoparticles. Int. J. Nanomed. 2020, 15, 6827–6838. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  12. Agostinis, P.; Berg, K.; Cengel, K.A.; Foster, T.H.; Girotti, A.W.; Gollnick, S.O.; Hahn, S.M.; Hamblin, M.R.; Juzeniene, A.; Kessel, D. Photodynamic therapy of cancer: An update. Ca-Cancer J. Clin. 2011, 61, 250–281. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  13. Juarranz, Á.; Jaén, P.; Sanz-Rodríguez, F.; Cuevas, J.; González, S. Photodynamic therapy of cancer. Basic principles and applications. Clin. Transl. Oncol. 2008, 10, 148–154. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  14. Chen, D.; Xu, Q.; Wang, W.; Shao, J.; Huang, W.; Dong, X. Type I Photosensitizers Revitalizing Photodynamic Oncotherapy. Small 2021, 17, 2006742. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  15. Zheng, B.-D.; Ye, J.; Zhang, X.-Q.; Zhang, N.; Xiao, M.-T. Recent advances in supramolecular activatable phthalocyanine-based photosensitizers for anti-cancer therapy. Coord. Chem. Rev. 2021, 447, 214155. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  16. Chu, K.F.; Dupuy, D.E. Thermal ablation of tumours: Biological mechanisms and advances in therapy. Nat. Rev. Cancer 2014, 14, 199–208. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Zhang, L.; Jia, H.; Liu, X.; Zou, Y.; Sun, J.; Liu, M.; Jia, S.; Liu, N.; Li, Y.; Wang, Q. Heptamethine Cyanine–Based Application for Cancer Theranostics. Front. Pharmacol. 2022, 12, 3859. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Chiaviello, A.; Postiglione, I.; Palumbo, G. Targets and Mechanisms of Photodynamic Therapy in Lung Cancer Cells: A Brief Overview. Cancers 2011, 3, 1014–1041. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  19. Fernandes, N.; Rodrigues, C.F.; Moreira, A.F.; Correia, I.J. Overview of the application of inorganic nanomaterials in cancer photothermal therapy. Biomater. Sci. 2020, 8, 2990–3020. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Liu, Y.; Bhattarai, P.; Dai, Z.; Chen, X. Photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging via nanotheranostics in fighting cancer. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2019, 48, 2053–2108. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Li, B.; Lin, L.; Lin, H.; Wilson, B.C. Photosensitized singlet oxygen generation and detection: Recent advances and future perspectives in cancer photodynamic therapy. J. Biophotonics 2016, 9, 1314–1325. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  22. Zou, J.; Yin, Z.; Wang, P.; Chen, D.; Shao, J.; Zhang, Q.; Sun, L.; Huang, W.; Dong, X. Photosensitizer synergistic effects: D–A–D structured organic molecule with enhanced fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yield for photodynamic therapy. Chem. Sci. 2018, 9, 2188–2194. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  23. Simões, A.; Eduardo, F.P.; Luiz, A.C.; Campos, L.; Sá, P.H.R.N.; Cristófaro, M.; Marques, M.M.; Eduardo, C.P. Laser phototherapy as topical prophylaxis against head and neck cancer radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis: Comparison between low and high/low power lasers. Lasers Surg. Med. 2009, 41, 264–270. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  24. Kong, L.; Huang, Z.; Zhang, S.-S.; Song, J.; Zhang, Y.-Y.; Bai, X.-Y.; Yang, J.-X.; Li, L. A facile strategy to realize a single/double photon excitation-dependent photosensitizer for imaging-guided phototherapy against HeLa cancer cells at separate irradiation channels. Chem. Commun. 2020, 56, 571–574. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  25. Tran, T.H.; Nguyen, H.T.; Pham, T.T.; Choi, J.Y.; Choi, H.-G.; Yong, C.S.; Kim, J.O. Development of a Graphene Oxide Nanocarrier for Dual-Drug Chemo-phototherapy to Overcome Drug Resistance in Cancer. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2015, 7, 28647–28655. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  26. Campos, L.; Simões, A.; Sá, P.H.R.N.; Eduardo, C.D.P. Improvement in Quality of Life of An Oncological Patient by Laser Phototherapy. Photomed. Laser Surg. 2009, 27, 371–374. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  27. Guo, R.; Peng, H.; Tian, Y.; Shen, S.; Yang, W. Mitochondria-Targeting Magnetic Composite Nanoparticles for Enhanced Phototherapy of Cancer. Small 2016, 12, 4541–4552. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Lin, J.; Wang, M.; Hu, H.; Yang, X.; Wen, B.; Wang, Z.; Jacobson, O.; Song, J.; Zhang, G.; Niu, G.; et al. Multimodal-Imaging-Guided Cancer Phototherapy by Versatile Biomimetic Theranostics with UV and γ-Irradiation Protection. Adv. Mater. 2016, 28, 3273–3279. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Bao, Y.-W.; Hua, X.-W.; Li, Y.-H.; Jia, H.-R.; Wu, F.-G. Endoplasmic reticulum-targeted phototherapy using one-step synthesized trace metal-doped carbon-dominated nanoparticles: Laser-triggered nucleolar delivery and increased tumor accumulation. Acta Biomater. 2019, 88, 462–476. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  30. Huang, Y.; Mei, C.; Tian, Y.; Nie, T.; Liu, Z.; Chen, T. Bioinspired tumor-homing nanosystem for precise cancer therapy via reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages. NPG Asia Mater. 2018, 10, 1002–1015. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  31. Wu, K.; Zhao, H.; Sun, Z.; Wang, B.; Tang, X.; Dai, Y.; Li, M.; Shen, Q.; Zhang, H.; Fan, Q. Endogenous oxygen generating multifunctional theranostic nanoplatform for enhanced photodynamic-photothermal therapy and multimodal imaging. Theranostics 2019, 9, 7697–7713. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  32. Zhao, H.; Xu, J.; Feng, C.; Ren, J.; Bao, L.; Zhao, Y.; Tao, W.; Zhao, Y.; Yang, X. Tailoring Aggregation Extent of Photosensitizer to Boost Phototherapy Potency for Eliciting Systemic Antitumor Immunity. Adv. Mater. 2021, 34, 2106390. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  33. Tan, Y.-N.; Li, Y.-P.; Huang, J.-D.; Luo, M.; Li, S.-S.; Lee, A.W.-M.; Hu, F.-Q.; Guan, X.-Y. Thermal-sensitive lipid nanoparticles potentiate anti-PD therapy through enhancing drug penetration and T lymphocytes infiltration in metastatic tumor. Cancer Lett. 2021, 522, 238–254. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  34. He, H.; Liu, L.; Liang, R.; Zhou, H.; Pan, H.; Zhang, S.; Cai, L. Tumor-targeted nanoplatform for in situ oxygenation-boosted immunogenic phototherapy of colorectal cancer. Acta Biomater. 2020, 104, 188–197. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  35. Kang, M.W.C.; Liu, H.; Kah, J.C.Y. Innate immune activation by conditioned medium of cancer cells following combined phototherapy with photosensitizer-loaded gold nanorods. J. Mater. Chem. B 2020, 8, 10812–10824. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  36. Bear, A.S.; Kennedy, L.C.; Young, J.K.; Perna, S.K.; Mattos Almeida, J.P.; Lin, A.Y.; Eckels, P.C.; Drezek, R.A.; Foster, A.E. Elimination of metastatic melanoma using gold nanoshell-enabled photothermal therapy and adoptive T cell transfer. PLoS ONE 2013, 8, e69073. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  37. Zhang, H.; Zhang, J.; Li, Q.; Song, A.; Tian, H.; Wang, J.; Li, Z.; Luan, Y. Site-specific MOF-based immunotherapeutic nanoplatforms via synergistic tumor cells-targeted treatment and dendritic cells-targeted immunomodulation. Biomaterials 2020, 245, 119983. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  38. Chen, Q.; Xu, L.; Liang, C.; Wang, C.; Peng, R.; Liu, Z. Photothermal therapy with immune-adjuvant nanoparticles together with checkpoint blockade for effective cancer immunotherapy. Nat. Commun. 2016, 7, 13193. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Zhang, L.; Jing, D.; Wang, L.; Sun, Y.; Li, J.J.; Hill, B.; Yang, F.; Li, Y.; Lam, K.S. Unique Photochemo-Immuno-Nanoplatform against Orthotopic Xenograft Oral Cancer and Metastatic Syngeneic Breast Cancer. Nano Lett. 2018, 18, 7092–7103. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Jain, P.K.; Lee, K.S.; El-Sayed, I.H.; El-Sayed, M.A. Calculated Absorption and Scattering Properties of Gold Nanoparticles of Different Size, Shape, and Composition:  Applications in Biological Imaging and Biomedicine. J. Phys. Chem. B 2006, 110, 7238–7248. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  41. Rodrigues, C.F.; Reis, C.A.; Moreira, A.F.; Ferreira, P.; Correia, I.J. Optimization of gold core-mesoporous silica shell functionalization with TPGS and PEI for cancer therapy. Microporous Mesoporous Mater. 2019, 285, 1–12. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  42. Manikandan, M.; Hasan, N.; Wu, H.F. Platinum nanoparticles for the photothermal treatment of Neuro 2A cancer cells. Biomaterials 2013, 34, 5833–5842. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  43. Gharibshahi, E.; Saion, E. Influence of dose on particle size and optical properties of colloidal platinum nanoparticles. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13, 14723–14741. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  44. Zhang, M.; Zhang, F.; Liu, T.; Shao, P.; Duan, L.; Yan, J.; Mu, X.; Jiang, J. Polydopamine Nanoparticles Camouflaged by Stem Cell Membranes for Synergistic Chemo-Photothermal Therapy of Malignant Bone Tumors. Int. J. Nanomed. 2020, 15, 10183–10197. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  45. Ni, G.; Yang, G.; He, Y.; Li, X.; Du, T.; Xu, L.; Zhou, S. Uniformly sized hollow microspheres loaded with polydopamine nanoparticles and doxorubicin for local chemo-photothermal combination therapy. Chem. Eng. J. 2020, 379, 122317. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  46. Lamch, Ł.; Kulbacka, J.; Pietkiewicz, J.; Rossowska, J.; Dubińska-Magiera, M.; Choromańska, A.; Wilk, K.A. Preparation and characterization of new zinc(II) phthalocyanine—Containing poly(l-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer micelles for photodynamic therapy. J. Photochem. Photobiol. B 2016, 160, 185–197. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  47. Oluwole, D.O.; Sarı, F.A.; Prinsloo, E.; Dube, E.; Yuzer, A.; Nyokong, T.; Ince, M. Photophysicochemical properties and photodynamic therapy activity of highly water-soluble Zn(II) phthalocyanines. Spectrochim. Acta A Mol. Biomol. Spectrosc. 2018, 203, 236–243. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  48. Chen, B.; Cao, J.; Zhang, K.; Zhang, Y.-N.; Lu, J.; Zubair Iqbal, M.; Zhang, Q.; Kong, X. Synergistic photodynamic and photothermal therapy of BODIPY-conjugated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles. J. Biomater. Sci. Polym. Ed. 2021, 32, 2028–2045. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  49. Treekoon, J.; Chansaenpak, K.; Tumcharern, G.; Zaiman Zain, Z.S.; Lee, H.B.; Kue, C.S.; Kamkaew, A. Aza-BODIPY encapsulated polymeric nanoparticles as an effective nanodelivery system for photodynamic cancer treatment. Mater. Chem. Front. 2021, 5, 2283–2293. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  50. Klfout, H.; Stewart, A.; Elkhalifa, M.; He, H. BODIPYs for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2017, 9, 39873–39889. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  51. Yoo, J.; Jang, S.-y.; Park, C.; Lee, D.; Kwon, S.; Koo, H. Lowering glutathione level by buthionine sulfoximine enhances in vivo photodynamic therapy using chlorin e6-loaded nanoparticles. Dyes Pigm. 2020, 176, 108207. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  52. Yang, J.; Teng, Y.; Fu, Y.; Zhang, C. Chlorins e6 loaded silica nanoparticles coated with gastric cancer cell membrane for tumor specific photodynamic therapy of gastric cancer. Int. J. Nanomed. 2019, 14, 5061–5071. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  53. Losytskyy, M.Y.; Vretik, L.O.; Kutsevol, N.V.; Nikolaeva, O.A.; Yashchuk, V.M. Uptake of Chlorin e6 Photosensitizer by Polystyrene-Diphenyloxazole-Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) Hybrid Nanosystem Studied by Electronic Excitation Energy Transfer. Nanoscale Res. Lett. 2018, 13, 166. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  54. Bhatta, A.; Krishnamoorthy, G.; Marimuthu, N.; Dihingia, A.; Manna, P.; Biswal, H.T.; Das, M.; Krishnamoorthy, G. Chlorin e6 decorated doxorubicin encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles for photo-controlled cancer drug delivery. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2019, 136, 951–961. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  55. Choi, K.-H.; Nam, K.C.; Cho, G.; Jung, J.-S.; Park, B.J. Enhanced Photodynamic Anticancer Activities of Multifunctional Magnetic Nanoparticles (Fe3O4) Conjugated with Chlorin e6 and Folic Acid in Prostate and Breast Cancer Cells. Nanomaterials 2018, 8, 722. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  56. Phuong, P.T.T.; Lee, S.; Lee, C.; Seo, B.; Park, S.; Oh, K.T.; Lee, E.S.; Choi, H.-G.; Shin, B.S.; Youn, Y.S. Beta-carotene-bound albumin nanoparticles modified with chlorin e6 for breast tumor ablation based on photodynamic therapy. Colloids Surf. B 2018, 171, 123–133. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  57. Leitão, M.M.; Alves, C.G.; de Melo-Diogo, D.; Lima-Sousa, R.; Moreira, A.F.; Correia, I.J. Sulfobetaine methacrylate-functionalized graphene oxide-IR780 nanohybrids aimed at improving breast cancer phototherapy. RSC Adv. 2020, 10, 38621–38630. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  58. Yan, M.; Liu, Y.; Zhu, X.; Wang, X.; Liu, L.; Sun, H.; Wang, C.; Kong, D.; Ma, G. Nanoscale Reduced Graphene Oxide-Mediated Photothermal Therapy Together with IDO Inhibition and PD-L1 Blockade Synergistically Promote Antitumor Immunity. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2019, 11, 1876–1885. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  59. Rodrigues, C.F.; Fernandes, N.; de Melo-Diogo, D.; Ferreira, P.; Correia, I.J.; Moreira, A.F. HA/PEI-coated acridine orange-loaded gold-core silica shell nanorods for cancer-targeted photothermal and chemotherapy. Nanomedicine 2021, 16, 2569–2586. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  60. Zhou, B.; Song, J.; Wang, M.; Wang, X.; Wang, J.; Howard, E.W.; Zhou, F.; Qu, J.; Chen, W.R. BSA-bioinspired gold nanorods loaded with immunoadjuvant for the treatment of melanoma by combined photothermal therapy and immunotherapy. Nanoscale 2018, 10, 21640–21647. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  61. Alves, C.G.; de Melo-Diogo, D.; Lima-Sousa, R.; Costa, E.C.; Correia, I.J. Hyaluronic acid functionalized nanoparticles loaded with IR780 and DOX for cancer chemo-photothermal therapy. Eur. J. Pharm. Biopharm. 2019, 137, 86–94. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  62. Alves, C.G.; de Melo-Diogo, D.; Lima-Sousa, R.; Correia, I.J. IR780 loaded sulfobetaine methacrylate-functionalized albumin nanoparticles aimed for enhanced breast cancer phototherapy. Int. J. Pharm. 2020, 582, 119346. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  63. Ting, C.-W.; Chou, Y.-H.; Huang, S.-Y.; Chiang, W.-H. Indocyanine green-carrying polymeric nanoparticles with acid-triggered detachable PEG coating and drug release for boosting cancer photothermal therapy. Colloids Surf. B 2021, 208, 112048. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  64. Zhang, D.; Zhang, J.; Li, Q.; Tian, H.; Zhang, N.; Li, Z.; Luan, Y. pH- and Enzyme-Sensitive IR820–Paclitaxel Conjugate Self-Assembled Nanovehicles for Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging-Guided Chemo–Photothermal Therapy. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2018, 10, 30092–30102. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  65. Sun, Z.; Deng, G.; Peng, X.; Xu, X.; Liu, L.; Peng, J.; Ma, Y.; Zhang, P.; Wen, A.; Wang, Y.; et al. Intelligent photothermal dendritic cells restart the cancer immunity cycle through enhanced immunogenic cell death. Biomaterials 2021, 279, 121228. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  66. Song, J.; Zhang, N.; Zhang, L.; Yi, H.; Liu, Y.; Li, Y.; Li, X.; Wu, M.; Hao, L.; Yang, Z.; et al. IR780-loaded folate-targeted nanoparticles for near-infrared fluorescence image-guided surgery and photothermal therapy in ovarian cancer. Int. J. Nanomed. 2019, 14, 2757–2772. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  67. Jian, W.-H.; Yu, T.-W.; Chen, C.-J.; Huang, W.-C.; Chiu, H.-C.; Chiang, W.-H. Indocyanine Green-Encapsulated Hybrid Polymeric Nanomicelles for Photothermal Cancer Therapy. Langmuir 2015, 31, 6202–6210. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  68. Leitão, M.M.; de Melo-Diogo, D.; Alves, C.G.; Lima-Sousa, R.; Correia, I.J. Prototypic Heptamethine Cyanine Incorporating Nanomaterials for Cancer Phototheragnostic. Adv. Healthc. Mater. 2020, 9, 1901665. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  69. Zhang, F.; Lu, G.; Wen, X.; Li, F.; Ji, X.; Li, Q.; Wu, M.; Cheng, Q.; Yu, Y.; Tang, J. Magnetic nanoparticles coated with polyphenols for spatio-temporally controlled cancer photothermal/immunotherapy. J. Controlled Release 2020, 326, 131–139. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  70. Huang, S.; Fong, C.I.; Xu, M.; Han, B.-n.; Yuan, Z.; Zhao, Q. Nano-loaded natural killer cells as carriers of indocyanine green for synergetic cancer immunotherapy and phototherapy. J. Innov. Opt. Health Sci. 2019, 12, 1941002. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  71. Ou, W.; Jiang, L.; Thapa, R.K.; Soe, Z.C.; Poudel, K.; Chang, J.-H.; Ku, S.K.; Choi, H.-G.; Yong, C.S.; Kim, J.O. Combination of NIR therapy and regulatory T cell modulation using layer-by-layer hybrid nanoparticles for effective cancer photoimmunotherapy. Theranostics 2018, 8, 4574–4590. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  72. Xiong, W.; Qi, L.; Jiang, N.; Zhao, Q.; Chen, L.; Jiang, X.; Li, Y.; Zhou, Z.; Shen, J. Metformin Liposome-Mediated PD-L1 Downregulation for Amplifying the Photodynamic Immunotherapy Efficacy. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2021, 13, 8026–8041. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  73. Zhou, Y.; Liu, S.; Hu, C.; Cai, L.; Pang, M. A covalent organic framework as a nanocarrier for synergistic phototherapy and immunotherapy. J. Mater. Chem. B 2020, 8, 5451–5459. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  74. Huang, J.; Zhang, L.; Zhou, W.; Wang, J.; Zhang, R.; Wang, Z.; Ran, H.; Li, P.; Li, R. Dual mitigation of immunosuppression combined with photothermal inhibition for highly effective primary tumor and metastases therapy. Biomaterials 2021, 274, 120856. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  75. Zhang, D.; Zhang, J.; Li, Q.; Song, A.; Li, Z.; Luan, Y. Cold to hot: Rational design of a minimalist multifunctional photo-immunotherapy nanoplatform toward boosting immunotherapy capability. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2019, 11, 32633–32646. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  76. Li, W.; Yang, J.; Luo, L.; Jiang, M.; Qin, B.; Yin, H.; Zhu, C.; Yuan, X.; Zhang, J.; Luo, Z.; et al. Targeting photodynamic and photothermal therapy to the endoplasmic reticulum enhances immunogenic cancer cell death. Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 3349. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  77. Bourquin, J.; Milosevic, A.; Hauser, D.; Lehner, R.; Blank, F.; Petri-Fink, A.; Rothen-Rutishauser, B. Biodistribution, Clearance, and Long-Term Fate of Clinically Relevant Nanomaterials. Adv. Mater. 2018, 30, 1704307. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  78. Cheng, Z.; Li, M.; Dey, R.; Chen, Y. Nanomaterials for cancer therapy: Current progress and perspectives. J. Hematol. Oncol. 2021, 14, 85. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  79. Matsumoto, Y.; Nichols, J.W.; Toh, K.; Nomoto, T.; Cabral, H.; Miura, Y.; Christie, R.J.; Yamada, N.; Ogura, T.; Kano, M.R.; et al. Vascular bursts enhance permeability of tumour blood vessels and improve nanoparticle delivery. Nat. Nanotechnol. 2016, 11, 533–538. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  80. Zein, R.; Sharrouf, W.; Selting, K. Physical Properties of Nanoparticles That Result in Improved Cancer Targeting. J. Oncol. 2020, 2020, 5194780. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  81. Li, B.; Lane, L.A. Probing the biological obstacles of nanomedicine with gold nanoparticles. Wiley Interdiscip. Rev. Nanomed. Nanobiotechnol. 2019, 11, e1542. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  82. Baetke, S.C.; Lammers, T.; Kiessling, F. Applications of nanoparticles for diagnosis and therapy of cancer. Br. J. Radiol. 2015, 88, 20150207. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  83. Rawal, M.; Singh, A.; Amiji, M.M. Quality-by-Design Concepts to Improve Nanotechnology-Based Drug Development. Pharm. Res. 2019, 36, 153. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  84. De Melo-Diogo, D.; Pais-Silva, C.; Dias, D.R.; Moreira, A.F.; Correia, I.J. Strategies to Improve Cancer Photothermal Therapy Mediated by Nanomaterials. Adv. Healthc. Mater. 2017, 6, 28322514. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  85. Liu, Y.; Lu, Y.; Zhu, X.; Li, C.; Yan, M.; Pan, J.; Ma, G. Tumor microenvironment-responsive prodrug nanoplatform via co-self-assembly of photothermal agent and IDO inhibitor for enhanced tumor penetration and cancer immunotherapy. Biomaterials 2020, 242, 119933. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  86. Ge, R.; Liu, C.; Zhang, X.; Wang, W.; Li, B.; Liu, J.; Liu, Y.; Sun, H.; Zhang, D.; Hou, Y.; et al. Photothermal-Activatable Fe3O4 Superparticle Nanodrug Carriers with PD-L1 Immune Checkpoint Blockade for Anti-metastatic Cancer Immunotherapy. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2018, 10, 20342–20355. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  87. Yan, S.; Zeng, X.; Tang, Y.a.; Liu, B.-F.; Wang, Y.; Liu, X. Activating Antitumor Immunity and Antimetastatic Effect Through Polydopamine-Encapsulated Core–Shell Upconversion Nanoparticles. Adv. Mater. 2019, 31, 1905825. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  88. Zuo, H.; Hou, Y.; Yu, Y.; Li, Z.; Liu, H.; Liu, C.; He, J.; Miao, L. Circumventing Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell-Mediated Immunosuppression Using an Oxygen-Generated and-Economized Nanoplatform. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2020, 12, 55723–55736. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  89. Song, X.; Xu, J.; Liang, C.; Chao, Y.; Jin, Q.; Wang, C.; Chen, M.; Liu, Z. Self-supplied tumor oxygenation through separated liposomal delivery of H2O2 and catalase for enhanced radio-immunotherapy of cancer. Nano Lett. 2018, 18, 6360–6368. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  90. Shen, Z.; Xia, J.; Ma, Q.; Zhu, W.; Gao, Z.; Han, S.; Liang, Y.; Cao, J.; Sun, Y. Tumor microenvironment-triggered nanosystems as dual-relief tumor hypoxia immunomodulators for enhanced phototherapy. Theranostics 2020, 10, 9132–9152. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  91. Li, M.; Xie, D.; Tang, X.; Yang, C.; Shen, Y.; Zhou, H.; Deng, W.; Liu, J.; Cai, S.; Bai, L. Phototherapy Facilitates Tumor Recruitment and Activation of Natural Killer T cells for Potent Cancer Immunotherapy. Nano Lett. 2021, 21, 6304–6313. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  92. Diehn, M.; Cho, R.W.; Lobo, N.A.; Kalisky, T.; Dorie, M.J.; Kulp, A.N.; Qian, D.; Lam, J.S.; Ailles, L.E.; Wong, M. Association of reactive oxygen species levels and radioresistance in cancer stem cells. Nature 2009, 458, 780–783. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  93. Kaufman, H.L.; Zloza, A.; Masopust, D.; Schenkel, J.M.; Rudra, J.S.; Snook, J.D.; Ruby, C.E.; Nabatiyan, A.; Poshepny, J.L.; Hill, G.E. NK cells and CD8+ T cells cooperate to improve therapeutic responses in melanoma treated with interleukin-2 (IL-2) and CTLA-4 blockade. J. Immunother. Cancer 2015, 3, 18. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  94. Rahimi Kalateh Shah Mohammad, G.; Ghahremanloo, A.; Soltani, A.; Fathi, E.; Hashemy, S.I. Cytokines as potential combination agents with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade for cancer treatment. J. Cell. Physiol. 2020, 235, 5449–5460. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  95. Wu, C.; Wang, L.; Tian, Y.; Guan, X.; Liu, Q.; Li, S.; Qin, X.; Yang, H.; Liu, Y. “Triple-Punch” anticancer strategy mediated by near-infrared photosensitizer/CpG oligonucleotides dual-dressed and mitochondria-targeted nanographene. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2018, 10, 6942–6955. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  96. Zhang, L.-x.; Sun, X.-m.; Xu, Z.P.; Liu, R.-t. Development of multifunctional clay-based nanomedicine for elimination of primary invasive breast cancer and prevention of its lung metastasis and distant inoculation. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2019, 11, 35566–35576. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  97. Luo, L.; Zhu, C.; Yin, H.; Jiang, M.; Zhang, J.; Qin, B.; Luo, Z.; Yuan, X.; Yang, J.; Li, W.; et al. Laser Immunotherapy in Combination with Perdurable PD-1 Blocking for the Treatment of Metastatic Tumors. ACS Nano 2018, 12, 7647–7662. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  98. Chen, W.; Qin, M.; Chen, X.; Wang, Q.; Zhang, Z.; Sun, X. Combining photothermal therapy and immunotherapy against melanoma by polydopamine-coated Al2O3 nanoparticles. Theranostics 2018, 8, 2229–2241. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  99. Wang, M.; Li, Y.; Wang, M.; Liu, K.; Hoover, A.R.; Li, M.; Towner, R.A.; Mukherjee, P.; Zhou, F.; Qu, J. Synergistic interventional photothermal therapy and immunotherapy using an iron oxide nanoplatform for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Acta Biomater. 2021, 138, 453–462. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  100. Dudek, A.M.; Martin, S.; Garg, A.D.; Agostinis, P. Immature, semi-mature, and fully mature dendritic cells: Toward a DC-cancer cells interface that augments anticancer immunity. Front. Immunol. 2013, 4, 438. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  101. Suzuki, A.; Masuda, A.; Nagata, H.; Kameoka, S.; Kikawada, Y.; Yamakawa, M.; Kasajima, T. Mature dendritic cells make clusters with T cells in the invasive margin of colorectal carcinoma. J. Pathol. 2002, 196, 37–43. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  102. Vilgelm, A.E.; Johnson, D.B.; Richmond, A. Combinatorial approach to cancer immunotherapy: Strength in numbers. J. Leukocyte Biol. 2016, 100, 275–290. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  103. Xu, J.; Xu, L.; Wang, C.; Yang, R.; Zhuang, Q.; Han, X.; Dong, Z.; Zhu, W.; Peng, R.; Liu, Z. Near-infrared-triggered photodynamic therapy with multitasking upconversion nanoparticles in combination with checkpoint blockade for immunotherapy of colorectal cancer. ACS Nano 2017, 11, 4463–4474. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  104. Chao, Y.; Xu, L.; Liang, C.; Feng, L.; Xu, J.; Dong, Z.; Tian, L.; Yi, X.; Yang, K.; Liu, Z. Combined local immunostimulatory radioisotope therapy and systemic immune checkpoint blockade imparts potent antitumour responses. Nat. Biomed. Eng. 2018, 2, 611–621. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  105. Cano-Mejia, J.; Shukla, A.; Ledezma, D.K.; Palmer, E.; Villagra, A.; Fernandes, R. CpG-coated Prussian blue nanoparticles-based photothermal therapy combined with anti-CTLA-4 immune checkpoint blockade triggers a robust abscopal effect against neuroblastoma. Transl. Oncol. 2020, 13, 100823. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  106. Peng, J.; Xiao, Y.; Li, W.; Yang, Q.; Tan, L.; Jia, Y.; Qu, Y.; Qian, Z. Photosensitizer micelles together with IDO inhibitor enhance cancer photothermal therapy and immunotherapy. Adv. Sci. 2018, 5, 1700891. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  107. Wang, D.; Wang, T.; Yu, H.; Feng, B.; Zhou, L.; Zhou, F.; Hou, B.; Zhang, H.; Luo, M.; Li, Y. Engineering nanoparticles to locally activate T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Sci. Immunol. 2019, 4, eaau6584. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  108. Yu, W.; Sun, J.; Liu, F.; Yu, S.; Hu, J.; Zhao, Y.; Wang, X.; Liu, X. Treating immunologically cold tumors by precise cancer photoimmunotherapy with an extendable nanoplatform. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2020, 12, 40002–40012. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  109. Gao, Y.; Zhao, Q.; Xiao, M.; Huang, X.; Wu, X. A versatile photothermal vaccine based on acid-responsive glyco-nanoplatform for synergistic therapy of cancer. Biomaterials 2021, 273, 120792. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  110. Zhou, Z.; Jiang, N.; Chen, J.; Zheng, C.; Guo, Y.; Ye, R.; Qi, R.; Shen, J. Selectively down-regulated PD-L1 by albumin-phenformin nanoparticles mediated mitochondrial dysfunction to stimulate tumor-specific immunological response for enhanced mild-temperature photothermal efficacy. J. Nanobiotechnol. 2021, 19, 375. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  111. Sheng, Z.; Hu, D.; Zheng, M.; Zhao, P.; Liu, H.; Gao, D.; Gong, P.; Gao, G.; Zhang, P.; Ma, Y. Smart human serum albumin-indocyanine green nanoparticles generated by programmed assembly for dual-modal imaging-guided cancer synergistic phototherapy. ACS Nano 2014, 8, 12310–12322. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  112. Qi, B.; Crawford, A.J.; Wojtynek, N.E.; Holmes, M.B.; Souchek, J.J.; Almeida-Porada, G.; Ly, Q.P.; Cohen, S.M.; Hollingsworth, M.A.; Mohs, A.M. Indocyanine green loaded hyaluronan-derived nanoparticles for fluorescence-enhanced surgical imaging of pancreatic cancer. Nanomed. Nanotechnol. Biol. Med. 2018, 14, 769–780. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  113. Huang, T.-Y.; Huang, G.-L.; Zhang, C.-Y.; Zhuang, B.-W.; Liu, B.-X.; Su, L.-Y.; Ye, J.-Y.; Xu, M.; Kuang, M.; Xie, X.-Y. Supramolecular Photothermal Nanomedicine Mediated Distant Tumor Inhibition via PD-1 and TIM-3 Blockage. Front. Chem. 2020, 8, 2296–2646. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  114. Wang, M.; Song, J.; Zhou, F.; Hoover, A.R.; Murray, C.; Zhou, B.; Wang, L.; Qu, J.; Chen, W.R. NIR-Triggered Phototherapy and Immunotherapy via an Antigen-Capturing Nanoplatform for Metastatic Cancer Treatment. Adv. Sci. 2019, 6, 1802157. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  115. Hwang, J.; Zhang, W.; Park, H.-B.; Yadav, D.; Jeon, Y.H.; Jin, J.-O. Escherichia coli adhesin protein-conjugated thermal responsive hybrid nanoparticles for photothermal and immunotherapy against cancer and its metastasis. J. Immunother. Cancer 2021, 9, e002666. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  116. Zhao, P.; Wang, M.; Chen, M.; Chen, Z.; Peng, X.; Zhou, F.; Song, J.; Qu, J. Programming cell pyroptosis with biomimetic nanoparticles for solid tumor immunotherapy. Biomaterials 2020, 254, 120142. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  117. Sun, Q.; Yang, Z.; Lin, M.; Peng, Y.; Wang, R.; Du, Y.; Zhou, Y.; Li, J.; Qi, X. Phototherapy and anti-GITR antibody-based therapy synergistically reinvigorate immunogenic cell death and reject established cancers. Biomaterials 2021, 269, 120648. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  118. Liu, Y.; Pan, Y.; Cao, W.; Xia, F.; Liu, B.; Niu, J.; Alfranca, G.; Sun, X.; Ma, L.; de la Fuente, J.M.; et al. A tumor microenvironment responsive biodegradable CaCO(3)/MnO(2)- based nanoplatform for the enhanced photodynamic therapy and improved PD-L1 immunotherapy. Theranostics 2019, 9, 6867–6884. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  119. Chen, Q.; Huang, G.; Wu, W.; Wang, J.; Hu, J.; Mao, J.; Chu, P.K.; Bai, H.; Tang, G. A Hybrid Eukaryotic–Prokaryotic Nanoplatform with Photothermal Modality for Enhanced Antitumor Vaccination. Adv. Mater. 2020, 32, 1908185. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  120. Fan, Z.; Liu, H.; Xue, Y.; Lin, J.; Fu, Y.; Xia, Z.; Pan, D.; Zhang, J.; Qiao, K.; Zhang, Z.; et al. Reversing cold tumors to hot: An immunoadjuvant-functionalized metal-organic framework for multimodal imaging-guided synergistic photo-immunotherapy. Bioact. Mater. 2021, 6, 312–325. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  121. Xu, L.; Zhang, W.; Park, H.-B.; Kwak, M.; Oh, J.; Lee, P.C.W.; Jin, J.-O. Indocyanine green and poly I:C containing thermo-responsive liposomes used in immune-photothermal therapy prevent cancer growth and metastasis. J. Immunother. Cancer 2019, 7, 220. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  122. Ma, B.; Sheng, J.; Wang, P.; Jiang, Z.; Borrathybay, E. Combinational phototherapy and hypoxia-activated chemotherapy favoring antitumor immune responses. Int. J. Nanomed. 2019, 14, 4541–4558. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  123. Zitvogel, L.; Rusakiewicz, S.; Routy, B.; Ayyoub, M.; Kroemer, G. Immunological off-target effects of imatinib. Nat. Rev. Clin. Oncol. 2016, 13, 431–446. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  124. Zhou, L.; Zhang, M.; Fu, Q.; Li, J.; Sun, H. Targeted near infrared hyperthermia combined with immune stimulation for optimized therapeutic efficacy in thyroid cancer treatment. Oncotarget 2016, 7, 6878–6890. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  125. Gonçalves, A.S.C.; Rodrigues, C.F.; Fernandes, N.; de Melo-Diogo, D.; Ferreira, P.; Moreira, A.F.; Correia, I.J. IR780 loaded gelatin-PEG coated gold core silica shell nanorods for cancer-targeted photothermal/photodynamic therapy. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2022, 119, 644–656. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  126. Chauhan, D.S.; Kumawat, M.K.; Prasad, R.; Reddy, P.K.; Dhanka, M.; Mishra, S.K.; Bahadur, R.; Neekhra, S.; De, A.; Srivastava, R. Plasmonic carbon nanohybrids for repetitive and highly localized photothermal cancer therapy. Colloids Surf. B 2018, 172, 430–439. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  127. Huang, C.; Hu, X.; Hou, Z.; Ji, J.; Li, Z.; Luan, Y. Tailored graphene oxide-doxorubicin nanovehicles via near-infrared dye-lactobionic acid conjugates for chemo-photothermal therapy. J. Colloid Interface Sci. 2019, 545, 172–183. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  128. Dong, X.; Liang, J.; Yang, A.; Qian, Z.; Kong, D.; Lv, F. Fluorescence imaging guided CpG nanoparticles-loaded IR820-hydrogel for synergistic photothermal immunotherapy. Biomaterials 2019, 209, 111–125. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  129. Qian, Y.; Lynch, J.H.; Guo, L.; Rhodes, D.; Morgan, J.A.; Dudareva, N. Completion of the cytosolic post-chorismate phenylalanine biosynthetic pathway in plants. Nat. Commun. 2019, 10, 15. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  130. Wang, T.; Wang, D.; Yu, H.; Feng, B.; Zhou, F.; Zhang, H.; Zhou, L.; Jiao, S.; Li, Y. A cancer vaccine-mediated postoperative immunotherapy for recurrent and metastatic tumors. Nat. Commun. 2018, 9, 1532. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  131. Chen, M.; Yang, D.; Sun, Y.; Liu, T.; Wang, W.; Fu, J.; Wang, Q.; Bai, X.; Quan, G.; Pan, X. In Situ Self-Assembly Nanomicelle Microneedles for Enhanced Photoimmunotherapy via Autophagy Regulation Strategy. ACS Nano 2021, 15, 3387–3401. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  132. Yang, H.; Liu, H.-s.; Hou, W.; Gao, J.-x.; Duan, Y.; Wei, D.; Gong, X.-q.; Wang, H.-j.; Wu, X.-l.; Chang, J. An NIR-responsive mesoporous silica nanosystem for synergetic photothermal-immunoenhancement therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma. J. Mater. Chem. B 2020, 8, 251–259. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  133. Peng, J.; Xiao, Y.; Yang, Q.; Liu, Q.; Chen, Y.; Shi, K.; Hao, Y.; Han, R.; Qian, Z. Intracellular aggregation of peptide-reprogrammed small molecule nanoassemblies enhances cancer chemotherapy and combinatorial immunotherapy. Acta Pharm. Sin. B 2021, 11, 1069–1082. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  134. Abbas, M.; Zou, Q.; Li, S.; Yan, X. Self-Assembled Peptide- and Protein-Based Nanomaterials for Antitumor Photodynamic and Photothermal Therapy. Adv. Mater. 2017, 29, 1605021. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  135. Liu, D.; Ma, L.; An, Y.; Li, Y.; Liu, Y.; Wang, L.; Guo, J.; Wang, J.; Zhou, J. Thermoresponsive Nanogel-Encapsulated PEDOT and HSP70 Inhibitor for Improving the Depth of the Photothermal Therapeutic Effect. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2016, 26, 4749–4759. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  136. Shramova, E.I.; Kotlyar, A.B.; Lebedenko, E.N.; Deyev, S.M.; Proshkina, G.M. Near-Infrared Activated Cyanine Dyes As Agents for Photothermal Therapy and Diagnosis of Tumors. Acta Nat. 2020, 12, 102–113. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  137. Gournaris, E.; Park, W.; Cho, S.; Bentrem, D.J.; Larson, A.C.; Kim, D.-H. Near-Infrared Fluorescent Endoscopic Image-Guided Photothermal Ablation Therapy of Colorectal Cancer Using Dual-Modal Gold Nanorods Targeting Tumor-Infiltrating Innate Immune Cells in a Transgenic TS4 CRE/APCloxΔ468 Mouse Model. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 2019, 11, 21353–21359. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  138. Wilhelm, S.; Tavares, A.J.; Dai, Q.; Ohta, S.; Audet, J.; Dvorak, H.F.; Chan, W.C.W. Analysis of nanoparticle delivery to tumours. Nat. Rev. Mater. 2016, 1, 16014. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  139. Sindhwani, S.; Syed, A.M.; Ngai, J.; Kingston, B.R.; Maiorino, L.; Rothschild, J.; MacMillan, P.; Zhang, Y.; Rajesh, N.U.; Hoang, T.; et al. The entry of nanoparticles into solid tumours. Nat. Mater. 2020, 19, 566–575. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  140. Izci, M.; Maksoudian, C.; Manshian, B.B.; Soenen, S.J. The Use of Alternative Strategies for Enhanced Nanoparticle Delivery to Solid Tumors. Chem. Rev. 2021, 121, 1746–1803. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  141. Zhang, B.; Jiang, T.; Tuo, Y.; Jin, K.; Luo, Z.; Shi, W.; Mei, H.; Hu, Y.; Pang, Z.; Jiang, X. Captopril improves tumor nanomedicine delivery by increasing tumor blood perfusion and enlarging endothelial gaps in tumor blood vessels. Cancer Lett. 2017, 410, 12–19. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  142. Batchelor, T.T.; Gerstner, E.R.; Emblem, K.E.; Duda, D.G.; Kalpathy-Cramer, J.; Snuderl, M.; Ancukiewicz, M.; Polaskova, P.; Pinho, M.C.; Jennings, D.; et al. Improved tumor oxygenation and survival in glioblastoma patients who show increased blood perfusion after cediranib and chemoradiation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2013, 110, 19059–19064. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  143. Satterlee, A.B.; Rojas, J.D.; Dayton, P.A.; Huang, L. Enhancing Nanoparticle Accumulation and Retention in Desmoplastic Tumors via Vascular Disruption for Internal Radiation Therapy. Theranostics 2017, 7, 253–269. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  144. Chao, Y.; Chen, Q.; Liu, Z. Smart Injectable Hydrogels for Cancer Immunotherapy. Adv. Funct. Mater. 2020, 30, 1902785. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  145. De Miguel, M.; Calvo, E. Clinical Challenges of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Cancer Cell 2020, 38, 326–333. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  146. Lei, Y.; Li, X.; Huang, Q.; Zheng, X.; Liu, M. Progress and Challenges of Predictive Biomarkers for Immune Checkpoint Blockade. Front. Oncol. 2021, 11, 609. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g001 550
Figure 1. Chemical structure of the HCs (ICG, IR775, IR780, IR797, and IR820) that have been encapsulated in nanomaterials for application in cancer immuno-PTT/PDT.
Figure 1. Chemical structure of the HCs (ICG, IR775, IR780, IR797, and IR820) that have been encapsulated in nanomaterials for application in cancer immuno-PTT/PDT.
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g001
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g002 550
Figure 2. Schematic representation of the different events occurring during the immuno-PTT/PDT mediated by HC-loaded nanoparticles. In this process, the nanoparticles are generally administered intravenously. The immunostimulants and the ICIs can be administered in conjugation with the nanoparticles or at a later time point. After nanoparticle administration, the primary tumor is irradiated with NIR light. The nanoparticles’ photothermal/photodynamic effects can per se induced damage in the primary tumor and can also trigger (i) TAAs/DAMPs release, (ii) hypoxia relief, and (iii) a pro-inflammatory response. The released TAAs can then be processed, leading to DC maturation. DC maturation is also aided by the DAMPs and by the immunostimulants. Afterward, the ICIs abolish the immuno-suppression mediated by CTLA-4, IDO1, and PD-1/PD-L1. These events contribute to the amelioration of the CTL/Treg cells ratio in the diseased sites, paving the way for the elimination of the primary (local effect) and the metastases/distant tumors (abscopal effect). During this process, memory T cells are also established, which have a crucial role in preventing tumor recurrence.
Figure 2. Schematic representation of the different events occurring during the immuno-PTT/PDT mediated by HC-loaded nanoparticles. In this process, the nanoparticles are generally administered intravenously. The immunostimulants and the ICIs can be administered in conjugation with the nanoparticles or at a later time point. After nanoparticle administration, the primary tumor is irradiated with NIR light. The nanoparticles’ photothermal/photodynamic effects can per se induced damage in the primary tumor and can also trigger (i) TAAs/DAMPs release, (ii) hypoxia relief, and (iii) a pro-inflammatory response. The released TAAs can then be processed, leading to DC maturation. DC maturation is also aided by the DAMPs and by the immunostimulants. Afterward, the ICIs abolish the immuno-suppression mediated by CTLA-4, IDO1, and PD-1/PD-L1. These events contribute to the amelioration of the CTL/Treg cells ratio in the diseased sites, paving the way for the elimination of the primary (local effect) and the metastases/distant tumors (abscopal effect). During this process, memory T cells are also established, which have a crucial role in preventing tumor recurrence.
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g002
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g003 550
Figure 3. Hypoxia relief triggered by ICG-incorporating polymeric nanostructures when exposed to NIR light. (a) Schematic representation of the therapeutic procedure; (b) Macrophage phenotype in the tumor after the different treatments; Characterization of the (c) hypoxia and (d) hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α) in tumor slices; Levels of (e) IL-10 and (f) IL-12p70 in the serum of mice after different treatments. Reprinted with permission from [32]. Copyright 2021 Wiley. PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PES: poly [2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-PEG methyl ether methacrylate]-b-poly(sodium p-styrenesulfonate); Pt + ICG: Cisplatin and ICG; Pt-PES: Cisplatin-loaded PES nanoparticles; Mg-ICG/PES: Magnesium dichloride and ICG-loaded PES nanoparticles/ICG-incorporated polymeric nanostructures; Pt-ICG/PES: Cisplatin and ICG-loaded PES nanoparticles; Laser: NIR light exposure. * p< 0.05; *** p< 0.001.
Figure 3. Hypoxia relief triggered by ICG-incorporating polymeric nanostructures when exposed to NIR light. (a) Schematic representation of the therapeutic procedure; (b) Macrophage phenotype in the tumor after the different treatments; Characterization of the (c) hypoxia and (d) hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α) in tumor slices; Levels of (e) IL-10 and (f) IL-12p70 in the serum of mice after different treatments. Reprinted with permission from [32]. Copyright 2021 Wiley. PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; PES: poly [2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethyl methacrylate-co-PEG methyl ether methacrylate]-b-poly(sodium p-styrenesulfonate); Pt + ICG: Cisplatin and ICG; Pt-PES: Cisplatin-loaded PES nanoparticles; Mg-ICG/PES: Magnesium dichloride and ICG-loaded PES nanoparticles/ICG-incorporated polymeric nanostructures; Pt-ICG/PES: Cisplatin and ICG-loaded PES nanoparticles; Laser: NIR light exposure. * p< 0.05; *** p< 0.001.
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g003
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g004 550
Figure 4. Immuno-PTT mediated by HA-coated MOF-loaded with ICG and R837. (A) Mice’s thermal images after NIR irradiation of the primary tumor; (B) Schematic representation of the immuno-PTT treatment; (C) Primary and (D) Secondary tumor volumes after the different treatments; (E) TUNEL and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining of primary tumor’s slices; Scale bar, 50 μm. (F) Mice’s body weight. Reprinted with permission from [108]. Copyright 2020 American Chemical Society. HA/ZIF-8: HA functionalized Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles/HA-coated MOF; ZIF-8@ICG@IMQ: ICG- and R837-loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles; HA/ZIF-8@ICG: ICG-loaded HA functionalized ZIF-8 nanoparticles; HA/ZIF-8@ICG@IMQ: ICG- and R837-loaded HA functionalized ZIF-8 nanoparticles; PTT/(+): NIR light irradiation. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.
Figure 4. Immuno-PTT mediated by HA-coated MOF-loaded with ICG and R837. (A) Mice’s thermal images after NIR irradiation of the primary tumor; (B) Schematic representation of the immuno-PTT treatment; (C) Primary and (D) Secondary tumor volumes after the different treatments; (E) TUNEL and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining of primary tumor’s slices; Scale bar, 50 μm. (F) Mice’s body weight. Reprinted with permission from [108]. Copyright 2020 American Chemical Society. HA/ZIF-8: HA functionalized Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles/HA-coated MOF; ZIF-8@ICG@IMQ: ICG- and R837-loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles; HA/ZIF-8@ICG: ICG-loaded HA functionalized ZIF-8 nanoparticles; HA/ZIF-8@ICG@IMQ: ICG- and R837-loaded HA functionalized ZIF-8 nanoparticles; PTT/(+): NIR light irradiation. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001.
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g004
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g005 550
Figure 5. Ability of the immuno-PTT mediated by ICG- and R837-loaded nanoparticles combined with CTLA-4 blockade to prevent tumor recurrence. (a) Schematic representation of the treatment procedure; (b) Volume of the re-inoculated tumors; (c) TEM cells levels in the spleen prior to cancer cell re-inoculation; (d) IFN-γ and (e) TNF-α levels in the serum of mice seven days after tumor re-inoculation. Reprinted with permission from [38]. Copyright 2016 Nature. Surgery: primary tumor removed by surgery; PLGA-ICG-R837: R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA nanoparticles/PLGA nanoparticles-loaded with ICG and R837; CLTA-4: anti-CTLA-4 Ab administration Laser: NIR light irradiation.
Figure 5. Ability of the immuno-PTT mediated by ICG- and R837-loaded nanoparticles combined with CTLA-4 blockade to prevent tumor recurrence. (a) Schematic representation of the treatment procedure; (b) Volume of the re-inoculated tumors; (c) TEM cells levels in the spleen prior to cancer cell re-inoculation; (d) IFN-γ and (e) TNF-α levels in the serum of mice seven days after tumor re-inoculation. Reprinted with permission from [38]. Copyright 2016 Nature. Surgery: primary tumor removed by surgery; PLGA-ICG-R837: R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA nanoparticles/PLGA nanoparticles-loaded with ICG and R837; CLTA-4: anti-CTLA-4 Ab administration Laser: NIR light irradiation.
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g005
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g006 550
Figure 6. Immuno-PTT mediated by PEG-PCL micelles-loaded with NLG919 and IR780 in primary and secondary tumors. (A) Schematic representation of the treatment schedule; (B) Primary and (B) Secondary tumor volumes after different treatments. Reprinted with permission from [106]. Copyright 2018 Wiley. NLG919/IR780 micelles: PEG-PCL micelles-loaded with NLG919 and IR780; NLG919 micelles: PEG-PCL micelles-loaded with NLG919; i.v.: intravenous administration; sub.: subcutaneous administration; Laser: NIR light irradiation.
Figure 6. Immuno-PTT mediated by PEG-PCL micelles-loaded with NLG919 and IR780 in primary and secondary tumors. (A) Schematic representation of the treatment schedule; (B) Primary and (B) Secondary tumor volumes after different treatments. Reprinted with permission from [106]. Copyright 2018 Wiley. NLG919/IR780 micelles: PEG-PCL micelles-loaded with NLG919 and IR780; NLG919 micelles: PEG-PCL micelles-loaded with NLG919; i.v.: intravenous administration; sub.: subcutaneous administration; Laser: NIR light irradiation.
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g006
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g007 550
Figure 7. Ability of the immuno-PTT mediated by IR820-1MT conjugate nanoparticles in combination with PD-L1 blockade to prevent tumor recurrence in the lungs. (A) Schematic representation of the therapeutic approach; (B,C) Levels of TEM cells in the spleen after the different treatments; (D) Bioluminescence images of lung metastases in mice overtime; (E) Ex vivo bioluminescence and (F) optical images of the lungs; (G) HE staining of the lung slices. Reprinted with permission from [75]. Copyright 2019 American Chemical Society. NS: normal saline; αPD-L1: anti-PD-L1 Ab; IR820: IR820 + Laser irradiation; IR820-1MT: IR820-1MT conjugate nanoparticles + Laser irradiation. ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.001. The blue arrows represent metastatic nodules.
Figure 7. Ability of the immuno-PTT mediated by IR820-1MT conjugate nanoparticles in combination with PD-L1 blockade to prevent tumor recurrence in the lungs. (A) Schematic representation of the therapeutic approach; (B,C) Levels of TEM cells in the spleen after the different treatments; (D) Bioluminescence images of lung metastases in mice overtime; (E) Ex vivo bioluminescence and (F) optical images of the lungs; (G) HE staining of the lung slices. Reprinted with permission from [75]. Copyright 2019 American Chemical Society. NS: normal saline; αPD-L1: anti-PD-L1 Ab; IR820: IR820 + Laser irradiation; IR820-1MT: IR820-1MT conjugate nanoparticles + Laser irradiation. ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.001. The blue arrows represent metastatic nodules.
Pharmaceutics 14 01015 g007
Table
Table 1. Outcome generated by the immuno-PTT/PDT mediated by ICG-based nanomaterials in the levels of mDCs and T cells.
Table 1. Outcome generated by the immuno-PTT/PDT mediated by ICG-based nanomaterials in the levels of mDCs and T cells.
FormulationImmuno
Therapy Agent		PTT/
PDT Agent		Changes in the Levels of mDCs and T CellsRef
R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPsR837; Anti-CTLA-4 Ab (non-loaded)ICGR837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + Laser induced 1.24 and 1.32 times higher mDC levels than the respective ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + Laser and R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs (in the tumor-draining lymph nodes).[38]
R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + Laser + anti-CTLA-4 Ab induced 1.40, 15.42, 10.15, 5.63, and 3.05 times higher CTLs/Treg ratios than surgery + R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + anti-CTLA-4 Ab, ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + Laser, surgery + R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs, surgery + anti-CTLA-4 Ab, and surgery, respectively (in the secondary tumor).
R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + Laser + anti-CTLA-4 Ab (post tumor reinoculation) resulted in 1.31, 2.50, 2.26, and 2.24 times higher TEM cells levels than R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + Laser, surgery + R837 and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + anti-CTLA-4 Ab (pre and post tumor reinoculation), surgery + anti-CTLA-4 Ab (pre and post tumor reinoculation), and surgery, respectively (in the spleen).
ICG and RB (a)-loaded DSPE (b)-PEG-mal (c) functionalized UCNPs (d)-ICG; RBICG- and RB-loaded DSPE-PEG-mal functionalized UCNPs + Laser induced 1.94 and 3.02 times higher mDC levels than ICG- and RB-loaded DSPE-PEG functionalized UCNPs + Laser, and the control + Laser, respectively (in the primary tumor).[114]
ICG- and RB-loaded DSPE-PEG-mal functionalized UCNPs + Laser induced 3.10 and 5.69 times higher CTLs/Treg ratios than ICG- and RB-loaded DSPE-PEG functionalized UCNPs + Laser, and the control + Laser, respectively (in the secondary tumor);
ICG- and RB-loaded DSPE-PEG-mal functionalized UCNPs + Laser induced 1.14 and 1.46 times higher CTLs levels than ICG- and RB-loaded DSPE-PEG functionalized UCNPs + Laser, and the control + Laser, respectively (in the spleen).
Mg and ICG-loaded PES NPs-ICGMg and ICG-loaded PES NPs + Laser induced two times higher mDC levels than Mg and ICG-loaded PES NPs, and PES (in the primary tumor);
Mg and ICG-loaded PES NPs + Laser induced 2.27 times higher mDC levels than the control (in the primary tumor);
Mg and ICG-loaded PES NPs + Laser induced about two times higher mDC levels than Mg and ICG-loaded PES NPs, PES, and the control (in lymph nodes).		[32]
Mg and ICG-loaded PES NPs + Laser induced about 2.72 times higher CTLs levels than Mg and ICG-loaded PES NPs, PES, and the control (in the secondary tumor).
ICG-loaded COF (e) coated with ovalbuminAnti-PD-L1 Ab (non-loaded)ICG; COFICG-loaded COF coated with ovalbumin + Laser + anti-PD-L1 Ab induced 1.31, 1.82, and 2.22 times higher mDC levels than ICG-loaded COF coated with ovalbumin + Laser, PBS + anti-PD-L1 Ab, and the control, respectively (in lymph nodes).[73]
ICG-loaded COF coated with ovalbumin + Laser + anti-PD-L1 Ab induced 1.29, 2.05, and 2.51 times higher CTLs levels than ICG-loaded COF coated with ovalbumin + Laser, PBS + anti-PD-L1 Ab, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).
ICG-loaded liposome (f)-ICGICG-loaded liposome + Laser induced 3.29 times higher CTLs/Treg ratios than the control (in the secondary tumor).[113]
ICG-loaded PEG-Epacadostat conjugate NPsEpacadostat; Anti-PD-L1 Ab (non-loaded)ICGICG-loaded PEG-Epacadostat conjugate NPs + Laser induced 2.47, 2.27, and 3.83 times higher mDC levels than ICG-loaded PEG-Epacadostat conjugate NPs, PEG-Epacadostat conjugate NPs, and the control, respectively (in lymph nodes).[85]
ICG-loaded PEG-Epacadostat conjugate NPs + Laser + anti-PD-L1 Ab induced 1.91, 2.10, 8.17, 6.10, and 6.81 times higher CTLs/Treg ratios than ICG-loaded PEG-Epacadostat conjugate NPs + anti-PD-L1 Ab, ICG-loaded PEG-Epacadostat conjugate NPs + Laser, ICG-loaded PEG-Epacadostat conjugate NPs, anti-PD-L1 Ab, and the control, respectively (in the secondary tumor).
ICG-loaded lipid (g)-PLGA NPs decorated with FimH (h)FimHICGICG-loaded lipid-PLGA NPs decorated with FimH + Laser, and FimH + Laser induced about three times higher mDC levels than ICG-loaded lipid-PLGA NPs + Laser, lipid-PLGA NPs + Laser, and the control, respectively (in lymph nodes).[115]
ICG-loaded PLGA based NPs incorporated into decitabine, DSPE-PEG, and cell membranes based NPsDecitabineICGICG-loaded PLGA based NPs incorporated in decitabine, DSPE-PEG, and cell membrane-based NPs + Laser induced 1.74, 3.28, 15.24, 7.38, and 12.63 times higher mDC levels than ICG-loaded PLGA based decitabine lipidic NPs + Laser, ICG + Decitabine + Laser, Decitabine + Laser, ICG + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor);
ICG-loaded PLGA-based NPs incorporated in decitabine, DSPE-PEG, and cell membrane-based NPs + Laser induced 1.73, 5.20, 8.27, 10.82, and 12.06 times higher mDC levels than ICG-loaded PLGA based decitabine lipidic NPs + Laser, ICG + Decitabine + Laser, Decitabine + Laser, ICG + Laser, and the control, respectively (in tumor-draining lymph nodes).		[116]
ICG-loaded PLGA-based NPs incorporated in decitabine, DSPE-PEG, and cell membrane-based NPs + Laser induced 2, 3.86, 6, 4.50, and 4.93 times higher CTLs levels than ICG-loaded PLGA based decitabine lipidic NPs + Laser, ICG + Decitabine + Laser, Decitabine + Laser, ICG + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the secondary tumor);
ICG-loaded PLGA-based NPs incorporated in decitabine, DSPE-PEG, and cell membrane-based NPs + Laser induced 1.52, 2.56, 4.27, 3.37, and 5.49 times higher CTLs levels than ICG-loaded PLGA-based decitabine lipidic NPs + Laser, ICG + Decitabine + Laser, Decitabine + Laser, ICG + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the spleen).
CAT (i), DTA-1 (j) and ICG functionalized PDA (k) NPsCATICG; PDACAT, DTA-1, and ICG functionalized PDA NPs + Laser induced 2.17, 2.48, 2.74, and 2.47 times higher mDC levels than ICG-functionalized PDA NPs + Laser, ICG + Laser, PDA + Laser, and the control, respectively (in spleen).[117]
CAT, DTA-1, and ICG-functionalized PDA NPs + Laser induced 2.89, 2.03, 2.89, and 3.68 times higher CTLs/Treg ratios than ICG-functionalized PDA NPs + Laser, ICG + Laser, PDA + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).
ICG-loaded Mn@CaCO3 NPs functionalized with siPD-L1 (l) and PAH (m)siPD-L1ICGICG-loaded Mn@CaCO3 NPs functionalized with siPD-L1 and PAH + Laser induced 2.61, 4.50, 5.06, and 9 times higher mDC levels than ICG-loaded Mn@CaCO3 NPs + Laser, ICG-loaded Mn@CaCO3 NPs functionalized with siPD-L1 and PAH, ICG-loaded Mn@CaCO3 NPs, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).[118]
ICG-loaded Mn@CaCO3 NPs functionalized with siPD-L1 and PAH + Laser induced 2, 20, 26.67, and 80 times higher CTLs levels than ICG-loaded Mn@CaCO3 NPs + Laser, ICG-loaded Mn@CaCO3 NPs functionalized with siPD-L1 and PAH, ICG-loaded Mn@CaCO3 NPs, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).
Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG (n)-dEGCG (o) NPsAnti-PD-L1 AbICGAnti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs + Laser induced 2.18, 1.25, 2.95, 1.29, 3.25, 2.60 and 3.53 times higher mDC levels than Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, and ICG-loaded EGCG NPs + Laser, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, and ICG-loaded EGCG NPs, ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs + Laser, ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor);
Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs + Laser induced 2.15, 1.26, 1.44, 5.68, 2.79, and 7 times higher mDC levels than Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs, Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded EGCG NPs + Laser, ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs + Laser, ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, and the control, respectively (in lymph nodes of lymphatic metastases).		[107]
Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs + Laser induced 2.77, 2.03, 6.91, 2.54, 10.46, 4.07, and 10.77 times higher CTLs/Treg ratio than Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, and ICG-loaded EGCG NPs + Laser, Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded EGCG NPs, ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs + Laser, ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, and the control, respectively (in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes);
Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs + Laser induced 2.15, 2.67, 2.26, 5.46, 2.84, and 4.40 times higher CTLs levels than Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, and ICG-loaded EGCG NPs + Laser, ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs + Laser, ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, and the control, respectively (in lymph nodes).
ICG and R837-loaded HA functionalized ZIF-8 NPsR837ICGICG- and R837-loaded HA-functionalized ZIF-8 NPs + Laser induced 1.44, 1.35, 1.31, and 1.82 times higher mDC levels than ICG-loaded HA-functionalized ZIF-8 NPs + Laser, ICG and R837-loaded ZIF-8 NPs + Laser, ICG- and R837-loaded HA-functionalized ZIF-8 NPs, and the control, respectively (in lymph nodes).[108]
ICG- and R837-loaded HA functionalized ZIF-8 NPs + Laser induced about 1.50 times higher CTLs levels than ICG-loaded HA-functionalized ZIF-8 NPs + Laser, ICG- and R837-loaded ZIF-8 NPs + Laser, and ICG- and R837-loaded HA- functionalized ZIF-8 NPs (in the primary tumor);
ICG- and R837-loaded HA-functionalized ZIF-8 NPs + Laser induced 3.11 times higher CTLs levels than control (in the primary tumor).
ICG- and R837-loaded HA-functionalized ZIF-8 NPs + Laser generated 1.67, 1.69, 2.27, and 3.45 times higher memory T cells levels than ICG-loaded HA-functionalized ZIF-8 NPs + Laser, ICG- and R837-loaded ZIF-8 NPs + Laser, ICG- and R837--loaded HA-functionalized ZIF-8 NPs, and the control, respectively (in the spleen).
ICG and R837-loaded PEG-polyphenols functionalized Fe3O4 based NPsR837ICGICG- and R837-loaded PEG-polyphenol-functionalized Fe3O4-based NPs + Laser induced 1.37, 1.21, 2.06, and 2.00 times higher mDC levels than R837-loaded PEG-polyphenol-functionalized Fe3O4-based NPs + Laser, ICG-loaded PEG-polyphenol-functionalized Fe3O4-based NPs + Laser, PEG-polyphenol-functionalized Fe3O4-based NPs + Laser, and the control, respectively (in lymph nodes).[69]
ICG- and R837-loaded PEG-polyphenol-functionalized Fe3O4-based NPs + Laser induced about 1.18 times higher CTLs levels than R837-loaded PEG-polyphenol-functionalized Fe3O4-based NPs + Laser, and ICG-loaded PEG-polyphenol-functionalized Fe3O4-based NPs + Laser (in the primary tumor);
ICG- and R837-loaded PEG-polyphenol-functionalized Fe3O4-based NPs + Laser induced 1.41 and 4.13 times higher CTLs levels than PEG-polyphenol-functionalized Fe3O4-based NPs + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).
ICG and PM (p)-loaded albumin MnO2 NPsPM; MnO2ICGICG- and PM-loaded albumin MnO2 NPs + Laser induced 1.23, 1.93, and 2.73 times higher CTLs levels than ICG- and PM-loaded albumin MnO2 NPs, ICG-loaded albumin MnO2 NPs + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).[110]
FAL (q)-PEG-TA (r) and PEI (s)-ICG functionalized AuNS (t) and Hb (u)-loaded FAL liposomes (v)HbICG; AuNSFAL-PEG-TA- and PEI-ICG-functionalized AuNS and Hb-loaded FAL liposomes + Laser induced 1.25, 1.56, 4, 1.73, and 3.76 times higher mDC levels than FAL-PEG-TA- and PEI-ICG-functionalized AuNS + Laser, PEI-ICG-functionalized AuNS + Hb-loaded liposomes + Laser, PEI-ICG-functionalized AuNS + Laser, FAL-PEG-TA-functionalized AuNS + Laser, and the control, respectively (in lymph nodes).[76]
FAL-PEG-TA- and PEI-ICG-functionalized AuNS and Hb-loaded FAL liposomes + Laser induced 1.56, 2, 2.19, 1.04, and 2.80 times higher CTLs levels than FAL-PEG-TA- and PEI-ICG-functionalized AuNS + Laser, PEI-ICG-functionalized AuNS + Hb-loaded liposomes + Laser, PEI-ICG-functionalized AuNS + Laser, FAL-PEG-TA-functionalized AuNS + Laser, and the control, respectively (in splenic lymphocytes);
FAL-PEG-TA- and PEI-ICG-functionalized AuNS and Hb-loaded FAL liposomes + Laser induced 1.80 and 1.75 times lower Treg levels than PEI-ICG-functionalized AuNS + Hb-loaded liposomes + Laser, and the control, respectively (in spleens).
ICG-loaded PLGA NPs incorporated in EPV (w)EPVICGICG-loaded PLGA NPs incorporated in EPV + Laser induced 1.14, 1.22, 1.80, 1.23, 1.59, 1.62, 2, and 2.15 times higher CTLs levels than ICG-loaded PLGA NPs incorporated in Melanoma membrane vesicles + Laser, ICG-loaded PLGA NPs incorporated in Salmonella membrane vesicles + Laser, ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + Laser, ICG-loaded PLGA NPs incorporated in EPV, ICG-loaded PLGA NPs incorporated in Melanoma membrane vesicles, ICG-loaded PLGA NPs incorporated in Salmonella membrane vesicles, ICG-loaded PLGA NPs, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).[119]
ICG, R837, and CTL-Ap (x)-loaded dextran NPsR837; CTL-ApICGICG-, R837-, and CTL-Ap-loaded dextran NPs + Laser induced 2.41 times higher CTLs levels than non-irradiated NPs (in the primary tumor).[109]
ICG and R837-IONs (y)-loaded DSPE-PEG NPsR837; IONsICGICG- and R837-ION-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs + Laser induced 1.80 times higher CTLs/Treg ratios than ICG- and ION-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs + Laser (in the primary tumor);
ICG- and R837-ION-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs + Laser induced about 3.20 times higher CTLs/Treg ratios than ICG- and R837-ION-loaded DSPE-PEG NP-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs, control + Laser, and the control (in the primary tumor).		[99]
(a) Rose Bengal; (b) 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine; (c) Maleimide; (d) Upconversion NPs; (e) Covalent Organic Framework; (f) Formulated with Dipalmitoyl Phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), DSPE-PEG, and cholesterol; (g) Lecithin and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-[(N-(5-amino-1-carboxypentyl)iminodiacetic acid)succinyl] (nickel salt); (h) Escherichia coli Type 1 Fimbriae Adhesion Portion; (i) Catalase; (j) Anti-GITR Ab; (k) Polydopamine; (l) PD-L1-targeting siRNA; (m) Polycyclic-aromatic Hydrocarbons; (n) Proline–leucine–glycine–leucine–alanineglycine; (o) Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate; (p) Phenformin; (q) Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER)-targeting Pardaxin; (r) Thioctic Acid; (s) Polyethylenimine; (t) Gold Nanospheres; (u) Hemoglobin; (v) Formulated with Egg phosphatidyl lipid-80, cholesterol, DSPE-PEG, and FAL-DSPE-PEG; (w) Salmonella–Melanoma Membrane Vesicles; (x) Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen Peptide with the sequence SIINFEKL; (y) Iron Oxide NPs.
Table
Table 2. Outcome generated by the immuno-PTT/PDT mediated by ICG-based nanomaterials in the primary/secondary tumors and tumor recurrence.
Table 2. Outcome generated by the immuno-PTT/PDT mediated by ICG-based nanomaterials in the primary/secondary tumors and tumor recurrence.
FormulationImmuno
Therapy Agent		PTT/
PDT Agent		Therapeutic Effect and MemoryRef
R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPsR837; Anti-CTLA-4 Ab (non-loaded)ICGR837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + Laser + Anti-CTLA-4 Ab caused primary tumor eradication;
R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + Laser + Anti-CTLA-4 Ab caused the greatest secondary tumor growth reduction;
Metastases after R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + Anti-CTLA-4 Ab + Laser treatment decrease compared to control.		[38]
Tumor-bearing mice previously treated with R837- and ICG-loaded PLGA NPs + anti-CTLA-4 Ab + Laser have reinoculated tumors with the slowest growth.
ICG- and RB-loaded DSPE-PEG-mal functionalized UCNPsAnti-CTLA-4 Ab (non-loaded)ICG; RBICG- and RB-loaded DSPE-PEG-mal functionalized UCNPs + Laser with and without Anti-CTLA-4 Ab caused primary tumor eradication while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction;
ICG- and RB-loaded DSPE-PEG-mal functionalized UCNPs + Laser + Anti-CTLA-4 Ab caused the strongest secondary tumor growth reduction;
Metastases decrease after ICG- and RB-loaded DSPE-PEG-mal functionalized UCNPs + Laser + Anti-CTLA-4 Ab treatment.		[114]
Tumor-bearing mice previously treated with ICG- and RB-loaded DSPE-PEG-mal functionalized UCNPs with Anti-CTLA-4 Ab + Laser have reinoculated tumors with the slowest growth.
Mg and ICG-loaded PES NPs-ICGMg and ICG-loaded PES NPs + Laser caused tumor regression while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction;
Mg and ICG-loaded PES NPs + Laser caused a great secondary tumor growth reduction compared to the other treatment groups;
The number of metastatic nodules after Mg and ICG-loaded PES NPs + Laser treatment strongly decreases compared to control (3.39 vs. 41.53).		[32]
ICG-loaded COF coated with ovalbuminAnti-PD-L1 Ab (non-loaded)ICG; COFICG-loaded COF coated with ovalbumin + Laser, with and without Anti-PD-L1 Ab both caused primary tumor eradication;
ICG-loaded COF coated with ovalbumin + Laser + Anti-PD-L1 Ab caused secondary tumor eradication while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction.		[73]
Metastases after ICG-loaded COF coated with ovalbumin + Laser + Anti-PD-L1 Ab do not occur in mice after tumor reinoculation.
ICG-loaded liposomeAnti-PD-1 Ab (non-loaded); Anti-TIM-3 Ab (non-loaded)ICGICG-loaded liposome + Laser caused primary tumor eradication;
ICG-loaded liposome + Laser + anti-PD-1 Ab + anti-TIM-3 Ab caused the strongest secondary tumor growth inhibition while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction.		[113]
ICG-loaded PEG-Epacadostat conjugate NPsEpacadostat; Anti-PD-L1 Ab (non-loaded)ICGICG-loaded PEG-Epacadostat conjugate NPs + Laser + Anti-PD-L1 Ab caused primary tumor eradication while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction;
ICG-loaded PEG-Epacadostat conjugate NPs + Laser + Anti-PD-L1 Ab caused the strongest secondary tumor growth reduction.		[85]
R837-loaded PEG-ICG Derivative (a)-Cholic Acid based NPs (b)R837; Anti-PD-1 Ab (non-loaded)ICG derivativeR837-loaded PEG-ICG Derivative-Cholic Acid and PEG-Cysteine-Lysine-Cholic Acid based NPs + Laser + Anti-PD-1 Ab caused primary and secondary tumor eradication while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction.[39]
ICG-loaded lipid-PLGA NPs decorated with FimHFimHICGICG-loaded lipid-PLGA NPs decorated with FimH + Laser caused primary tumor eradication while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction.[115]
Metastases after ICG-loaded lipid-PLGA NPs decorated with FimH + Laser treatment do not occur in mice after tumor reinoculation.
CpG ODNs-loaded ICG functionalized MOFCpG ODNsICGCpG-loaded ICG functionalized MOF + Laser caused primary tumor eradication while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction.[120]
Metastases after CpG-loaded ICG functionalized MOF + Laser treatment decrease in mice after tumor reinoculation.
ICG and poly I:C (c)-loaded liposomes (d)poly I:CICGICG and poly I:C-loaded liposomes + Laser. and ICG-loaded liposomes + Laser caused primary tumor regression while the other treatment groups do not reduce tumor growth.[121]
Metastases after ICG and poly I:C-loaded liposomes + Laser treatment strongly decrease compared to control in mice after tumor reinoculation.
ICG-loaded PLGA based NPs incorporated into decitabine, DSPE-PEG, and cell membranes based NPsDecitabineICGICG-loaded PLGA based NPs incorporated in decitabine, DSPE-PEG, and cell membranes based NPs + Laser caused primary tumor regression while the other treatment groups only reduce tumor growth;
ICG-loaded PLGA based NPs incorporated in decitabine, DSPE-PEG, and cell membranes based NPs + Laser caused secondary tumor growth inhibition while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction.		[116]
CAT, DTA-1 and ICG functionalized PDA NPsCATICG; PDACAT, DTA-1, and ICG functionalized PDA NPs + Laser caused primary tumor regression while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction;
CAT, DTA-1, and ICG functionalized PDA NPs + Laser caused the strongest secondary tumor growth reduction.		[117]
ICG-loaded Mn@CaCO3 NPs functionalized with siPD-L1 and PAHsiPD-L1ICGICG-loaded siPD-L1 and PAH functionalized Mn@CaCO3 NPs + Laser caused primary tumor regression while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction.[118]
Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPsAnti-PD-L1 AbICGAnti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs + Laser caused primary tumor growth inhibition while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction;
Metastases after Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs + Laser treatment do not occur (nodules: 0 vs. 16.17, treated vs. control).		[107]
Tumor-bearing mice previously treated with Anti-PD-L1 Ab and ICG-loaded PEG-PLGLAG-dEGCG NPs have reinoculated tumors with the slowest growth.
ICG and R837-loaded HA functionalized ZIF-8 NPsR837ICGICG and R837-loaded HA functionalized ZIF-8 NPs + Laser caused the strongest primary and secondary tumor growth reduction.[108]
Tumor-bearing mice previously treated with ICG and R837-loaded HA functionalized ZIF-8 NPs + Laser have reinoculated tumors with the slowest growth.
ICG and R837-loaded PEG-polyphenols functionalized Fe3O4 based NPsR837ICGICG and R837-loaded PEG-polyphenols functionalized Fe3O4 based NPs + Laser caused the strongest primary tumor growth reduction.[69]
Tibia and lung metastases after ICG and R837-loaded PEG-polyphenols functionalized Fe3O4 based NPs + Laser treatment strongly decrease in mice after tumor reinoculation compared to the other treatment groups.
ICG and PM-loaded albumin MnO2 NPsPM; MnO2ICGICG and PM-loaded albumin MnO2 NPs caused the strongest primary and secondary tumor growth reduction.[110]
FAL-PEG-TA and PEI-ICG functionalized AuNS and Hb-loaded FAL liposomesHbICG; AuNSFAL-PEG-TA and PEI-ICG functionalized AuNS and Hb-loaded FAL liposomes + Laser caused the strongest primary tumor growth reduction.[76]
ICG-loaded PLGA NPs incorporated in EPVEPVICGICG-loaded PLGA NPs incorporated in EPV + Laser caused the strongest primary tumor growth reduction.[119]
ICG, R837, and CTL-Ap-loaded dextran NPsR837; CTL-apICGICG, R837, and CTL-Ap-loaded dextran NPs + Laser caused the strongest primary tumor growth reduction.[109]
ICG and R837-IONs-loaded DSPE-PEG NPsR837; IONsICGThe number of metastatic nodules after ICG and R837-IONs-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs + Laser treatment severely decreases compared to control (3.46 vs. 22.30).[99]
(a) Functionalized with a carboxylic acid group; (b) Based in PEG-Cysteine-Lysine-Cholic Acid; (c) Polyinosinic:polycytidylic Acid; (d) Formulated with DPPC, 1-Palmitoyl-2-Hydroxy-sn-Glycero-3-Phosphocholine, and DSPE-PEG.
Table
Table 3. Outcome generated by the immuno-PTT/PDT mediated by prototypic HC-based nanomaterials in the levels of mDCs and T cells.
Table 3. Outcome generated by the immuno-PTT/PDT mediated by prototypic HC-based nanomaterials in the levels of mDCs and T cells.
FormulationImmuno
Therapy Agent		PTT/
PDT Agent		Changes in the Levels of mDCs and T CellsRef
Met- (a) and IR775-loaded liposomes (b)MetIR775Met- and IR775-loaded liposomes + Laser induced 2.5, 2.21, 2.14, 3.96, and 4.49 times higher CTLs levels than Met- and IR775-loaded liposomes, Met-loaded liposomes, IR775-loaded liposomes + Laser, control + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor);
Met- and IR775-loaded liposomes + Laser induced 2.27, 4.17, 2.21, 4.69, and 4.69 times higher CTLs levels than Met and IR775-loaded liposomes, Met-loaded liposomes, IR775-loaded liposomes + Laser, control + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the secondary tumor).		[72]
NLG919- and IR780-loaded PEG-PCL micellesNLG919IR780NLG919- and IR780-loaded PEG-PCL micelles + Laser induced 6.79, 33.12, 11.04, and 43.72 times higher CTLs/Treg ratio than NLG919 and IR780-loaded PEG-PCL micelles, IR780-loaded PEG-PCL micelles + Laser, NLG919-loaded PEG-PCL micelles, and the control, respectively (in spleen).[106]
IR780 and Imatinib-loaded PEGylated GITR-functionalized PLGA based NPsImatinibIR780IR780- and Imatinib-loaded PEGylated GITR-functionalized PLGA based NPs + Laser induced about two times higher mDC levels than IR780 + Laser, Imatinib, control + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).[71]
IR780- and Imatinib-loaded PEGylated GITR-functionalized PLGA-based NPs + Laser induced 2.54, 2.34, 3.25, and 3.38 times lower Treg levels than IR780 + Laser, Imatinib, control + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).
IR780- and Met-loaded CeO2-capped MSNs (c)Met; CeO2IR780IR780- and Met-loaded CeO2-capped MSNs + Laser induced 1.06, 1.39, 2.10, and 1.58 times higher CTLs levels than IR780 and Met-loaded MSNs + Laser, IR780-loaded CeO2-capped MSNs + Laser, IR780-loaded MSNs + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).[88]
BMS- (d)-loaded IR780-PEGylated lipidic (e) NPsBMSIR780BMS-loaded IR780-PEGylated lipidic NPs + Laser induced about 1.30 times higher mDC levels than IR780-PEGylated lipidic NPs + Laser, BMS-loaded lipidic NPs + Laser, and BMS + Laser (in lymph nodes);
BMS-loaded IR780-PEGylated lipidic NPs + Laser induced 1.9 times higher mDC levels than the control (in lymph nodes).		[33]
BMS-loaded IR780-PEGylated lipidic NPs + Laser induced 1.69, 2, 2.34, and 3.58 times higher CTLs levels than IR780-PEGylated lipidic NPs + Laser, BMS-loaded lipidic NPs + Laser, BMS + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).
IR780- and SB-505124-loaded liposomes (f)SB-505124IR780IR780- and SB-loaded liposomes + Laser induced 1.61, 1.16, 1.76, and 2.24 times higher CTLs levels than IR780-loaded liposomes + Laser, IR780 and SB-loaded liposomes, SB, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor);
IR780- and SB-loaded liposomes + Laser induced 1.91, 1.22, 1.68, and 2.28 times lower Treg levels than IR780-loaded liposomes + Laser, IR780 and SB-loaded liposomes, SB, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).		[74]
IR780-loaded PEG-PCL NPs-IR780IR780-loaded PEG-PCL NPs + Laser induced 1.22 and 1.44 times higher mDC levels than IR780 + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).[122]
IR780-loaded PEG-PCL NPs + Laser induced 1.44 and 2 times higher CTLs levels than IR780 + Laser, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor).
IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDCs membranes (g)mDCs membranesIR797IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDCs membranes + Laser induced 1.21 and 2.05 times higher mDC levels than IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDCs membranes and IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs + Laser, respectively (in lymph nodes);
IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDCs membranes + Laser induced about 2.60 times higher mDC levels than IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs and the control (in lymph nodes).		[65]
IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDCs membranes + Laser induced 1.26 times higher CTLs levels than IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDCs membranes (in the primary tumor);
IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDCs membranes + Laser induced about 4.8 times higher CTLs levels than IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs + Laser, IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs, and the control (in the primary tumor);
IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDCs membranes + Laser induced 1.31, 2.48, 2.77, and 3.79 times higher CTLs levels than IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDCs membranes, IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs + Laser, IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs, and the control, respectively (in the secondary tumor).
IR820-loaded HA functionalized MOF NPs (h), and R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan functionalized MOF NPs (h)R837; 1MTIR820IR820-loaded HA functionalized MOF NPs + R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan functionalized MOF NPs + Laser induced 2.32, 1.96, and 10.22 times higher CTLs/Treg ratios than IR820-loaded HA functionalized MOF NPs + Laser, R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan functionalized MOF NPs, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor);
IR820-loaded HA functionalized MOF NPs + R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan functionalized MOF NPs + Laser induced 3.84, 3.80, and 6.82 times higher CTLs/Treg ratios than IR820-loaded HA functionalized MOF NPs + Laser, R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan functionalized MOF NPs, and the control, respectively (in splenic lymphocytes);
IR820-loaded HA functionalized MOF NPs + R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan functionalized MOF NPs + Laser induced 2.71, 2, and 10 times higher CTLs/Treg ratios than IR820-loaded HA functionalized MOF NPs + Laser, R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan functionalized MOF NPs, and the control, respectively (in the secondary tumor).		[37]
IR820-loaded HA functionalized MOF NPs + R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan functionalized MOF NPs + Laser generate 2.29, 1.75, and 4 times higher memory T cells levels than HA-functionalized MOF NPs + Laser, R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan-functionalized MOF NPs, and the control, respectively (in splenic lymphocytes).
1MT-IR820 NPs1MT; Anti-PD-L1 Ab (non-loaded)IR8201MT-IR820 NPs + Laser + Anti-PD-L1 Ab induced 1.18, 1.40, 1.51, 1.92, and 2.38 times higher mDC levels than 1MT-IR820 NPs + Laser, IR820 + Laser, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, 1MT, and the control, respectively (in lymph nodes).[75]
1MT-IR820 NPs + Laser + Anti-PD-L1 Ab induced 1.54, 1.97, 3.55, 4.73, and 6.45 times higher CTLs/Treg ratio than 1MT-IR820 NPs + Laser, IR820 + Laser, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, 1MT, and the control, respectively (in the primary tumor);
1MT-IR820 NPs + Laser + Anti-PD-L1 Ab induced 1.35, 1.64, 1.97, 2.42, and 3.38 times higher CTLs levels than 1MT-IR820 NPs + Laser, IR820 + Laser, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, 1MT, and the control, respectively (in the secondary tumor).
1MT-IR820 NPs + Laser + Anti-PD-L1 Ab generated 1.19, 1.36, 1.73, 1.93, and 2.24 times higher TEM cells levels than 1MT-IR820 NPs + Laser, IR820 + Laser, Anti-PD-L1 Ab, 1MT, and the control, respectively (in spleens).
(a) Metformin; (b) Formulated with Hydrogenated Soybean Phosphatidylcholine (HSPC), cholesterol, and DSPE-PEG; (c) Mesoporous Silica NPs; (d) PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor BMS202; (e) Formulated with DPPC and cholesterol; (f) Formulated with DSPE-PEG, DPPC and cholesterol; (g) Obtained by exposing immature DCs to TAAs and Poly I:C; (h) Based on ZIF-8.
Table
Table 4. Outcome generated by the immuno-PTT/PDT mediated by prototypic HC-based nanomaterials in the primary/secondary tumors and tumor recurrence.
Table 4. Outcome generated by the immuno-PTT/PDT mediated by prototypic HC-based nanomaterials in the primary/secondary tumors and tumor recurrence.
FormulationImmuno
Therapy Agent		PTT/
PDT Agent		Therapeutic Effect and MemoryRef
Met- and IR775-loaded liposomesMetIR775Met- and IR775-loaded liposomes + Laser caused the strongest primary and secondary tumor growth reduction.[72]
NLG919- and IR780-loaded PEG-PCL micellesNLG919IR780NLG919- and IR780-loaded PEG-PCL micelles + Laser caused primary tumor eradication while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction;
NLG919- and IR780-loaded PEG-PCL micelles + Laser caused the strongest secondary tumor growth reduction;
Metastases after NLG919- and IR780-loaded PEG-PCL micelles + Laser treatment decreased compared to the control.		[106]
IR780- and Imatinib-loaded PEGylated GITR-functionalized PLGA-based NPsImatinibIR780IR780 and Imatinib-loaded PEGylated GITR-functionalized PLGA-based NPs caused primary tumor eradication while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction.[71]
IR780- and Met-loaded CeO2-capped MSNsMet; CeO2IR780IR780- and Met-loaded CeO2-capped MSNs + Laser caused primary tumor regression while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction;
The number of metastatic nodules after IR780 and Met-loaded CeO2-capped MSNs + Laser treatment severely decreased compared to control (about 5 vs. 58).		[88]
BMS-loaded IR780-PEGylated lipidic NPsBMSIR780BMS-loaded IR780-PEG lipidic NPs + Laser caused primary tumor regression while other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction;
The number of metastatic nodules after BMS-loaded IR780-PEG lipidic NPs + Laser treatment severely decreased compared to the control (about 4.60 vs. 52).		[33]
IR780- and SB-505124-loaded liposomesSB-505124; Anti-PD-1 Ab (non-loaded)IR780IR780- and SB-loaded liposomes + Laser + Anti-PD-1 caused primary tumor growth inhibition while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction;
IR780- and SB-loaded liposomes + Laser + Anti-PD-1 caused the strongest secondary tumor growth reduction;
The number of metastatic nodules after IR780 and SB-loaded liposomes + Laser + Anti-PD-1 treatment severely decreased compared to the control (about 2.80 vs. 38).		[74]
IR780-loaded PEG-PCL NPs-IR780IR780-loaded PEG-PCL NPs + Laser induced primary tumor growth reduction;
Metastases after IR780-loaded PEG-PCL NPs + Laser treatment decreased compared to the control.		[122]
IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDC membranesmDCs membranesIR797IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDCs membranes + Laser caused primary tumor eradication while other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction;
IR797-loaded DSPE-PEG NPs coated with mDCs membranes + Laser caused the strongest secondary tumor growth reduction.		[65]
IR820-loaded HA-functionalized MOF NPs, and R837- and 1MT-loaded mannan-functionalized MOF NPsR837; 1MTIR820IR820-loaded HA-functionalized MOF NPs + R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan-functionalized MOF NPs + Laser caused primary tumor regression while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction;
IR820-loaded HA-functionalized MOF NPs + R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan-functionalized MOF NPs + Laser caused the strongest secondary tumor growth reduction.		[37]
Metastases after IR820-loaded HA-functionalized MOF NPs + R837 and 1MT-loaded mannan-functionalized MOF NPs + Laser treatment strongly decreased in mice after tumor reinoculation compared to the control.
AG (a)-IR820 conjugate, Quercetin-loaded liposomes (b), and LPS (c)LPS (non-loaded)IR820AG-IR820 + Quercetin-loaded liposomes + Laser + LPS caused primary tumor regression while the other treatment groups only caused tumor growth reduction.[124]
1MT-IR820 NPs1MT; Anti-PD-L1 Ab (non-loaded)IR8201MT-IR820 NPs + Laser + Anti-PD-L1 Ab caused the strongest primary and secondary tumor growth reduction.[75]
Metastases after 1MT-IR820 NPs + Laser + Anti-PD-L1 Ab treatment strongly decreased in mice after tumor reinoculation compared to the control.
IR820-loaded DSPE-PEG-TPP (d) and DSPE-PEG-CpG ODNs-functionalized GO (e)DSPE-PEG-CpGGO; IR820IR820-loaded DSPE-PEG-TPP and DSPE-PEG-CpG ODNs-functionalized GO + Laser induced the strongest primary tumor growth reduction.[95]
(a) Amino-glucose; (b) Formulated with HSPC, Cholesterol and PEGylated phosphatidylethanolamine; (c) Lipopolysaccharide; (d) Triphenylphosphonium; (e) Graphene Oxide.
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Alves, C.G.; Lima-Sousa, R.; Melo, B.L.; Moreira, A.F.; Correia, I.J.; de Melo-Diogo, D. Heptamethine Cyanine-Loaded Nanomaterials for Cancer Immuno-Photothermal/Photodynamic Therapy: A Review. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 1015. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14051015

AMA Style

Alves CG, Lima-Sousa R, Melo BL, Moreira AF, Correia IJ, de Melo-Diogo D. Heptamethine Cyanine-Loaded Nanomaterials for Cancer Immuno-Photothermal/Photodynamic Therapy: A Review. Pharmaceutics. 2022; 14(5):1015. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14051015

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alves, Cátia G., Rita Lima-Sousa, Bruna L. Melo, André F. Moreira, Ilídio J. Correia, and Duarte de Melo-Diogo. 2022. "Heptamethine Cyanine-Loaded Nanomaterials for Cancer Immuno-Photothermal/Photodynamic Therapy: A Review" Pharmaceutics 14, no. 5: 1015. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14051015

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop