Anion receptor-mediated multicomponent synergistic self-assembly of porphyrin for efficient phototherapy to elicit tumor immunotherapy

Abstract

Immunogenic phototherapy has the potential to enhance tumor immunotherapy. Nevertheless, its efficacy is severely restricted by optimal photosensitizer deficiency and efficient delivery of the photosensitizers. We thus constructed TAPP-GCP@TCPP@BSA nanoparticles by self-assembling of a porphyrin derivative (TAPP-GCP), meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (TCPP), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) to achieve effective phototherapy and further enhance tumor immunotherapy. Nanoparticles (NPs) subjected to laser irradiation can induce tumor cytotoxicity and immunogenic cell death (ICD). They can accumulate in tumors after intravenous injection and induce significant ICD after laser illumination, thereby promoting the maturation of antigen-presenting cells and activating the specific antitumor killing effect of cytotoxic T cells in a breast tumor model. NPs combined with anti-PD-L1 blockade significantly inhibited distant tumor growth by initiating an excellent antitumor immune response. The phototherapy of NPs through multicomponent synergistic self-assembly is a promising approach for boosting immune checkpoint blockade therapy.