Combination of photosensitizer and immune checkpoint inhibitors for improving the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy

As a new type of antitumor strategy, the combined application of photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy will be a breakthrough in the field of tumor therapy. In this study, PD-L1McAb&HMME@Clip is used as the carrier to improve the low tumor response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Firstly, by passive targeting technology, the carrier is delivered to the tumor site to increase the local drug concentration. Then, by photodynamic technology, HMME can produce large amount of reactive oxygen species and directly kill the tumor cells. Meanwhile, the tumor cell lysate with strong immunogenicity can promote the phagocytosis of dendritic cells and the activation of initial T cells. Finally, by immune technology, the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is blocked in the tumor microenvironment, the killing ability of T cells to tumor cells can be restored, and the tumor recurrence and metastasis can be effectively inhibited by the autoimmune system, so as to achieve the goal of tumor treatment. Furthermore, we also highlight the potential benefits of immunotherapy as a surgical adjuvant therapy.