NIR-II responsive Janus nanoparticles amplify immunogenic cell death for enhanced cancer immunotherapy

Immunotherapy brings new hope for tumor treatment by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) of tumor cells. However, insufficient immunogenicity and low immune response rate greatly limit antitumor immunity. Herein, by optimizing the composition and morphology, the rational design of Janus nanoparticles composed of Fe3O4 nanospheres and SiO2 nanorods was realized for enhanced cancer immunotherapy through amplified ICD. After glucose oxidase (GOx) was loaded by the Janus nanoparticles, the resultant M-FS-GOx consumes glucose at tumor sites to generate gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for starvation therapy while the H2O2 supply promotes the production of highly toxic center dot OH to achieve effective chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Under a 1064 nm light irradiation, the photothermal effect of M-FS-GOx enhances the enzyme activity of GOx for improved starvation therapy. Furthermore, both tumor-associated antigens released during the process of ICD and the intrinsic immunoadjuvant property of M-FS-GOx stimulate dendritic cell maturation to activate antitumor immune responses. This work provides a promising strategy for the construction of Janus nanoparticles to achieve enhanced cancer immunotherapy through combination therapy-amplified ICD.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the use of Janus nanoparticles for enhanced cancer immunotherapy by optimizing their composition and morphology. The findings show that these nanoparticles can induce immunogenic cell death of tumor cells and activate antitumor immune responses through a combination therapy approach involving starvation therapy, chemodynamic therapy, and immunoadjuvant properties.