Sono/Photodynamic Nanomedicine-Elicited Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy (e.g., cancer vaccines and checkpoint blockades), harnessing the host immune system to recognize and eradicate tumors, has emerged as one of the most potent cancer therapies. The clinical applications of cancer immunotherapies, however, have been limited by their low response rates and immune-related adverse effects. In recent years, sono/photodynamic nanomedicines (SPNs) have received increasing attention for cancer therapy since they have been reported to mediate enhanced immunotherapy by generating reactive oxygen species under site-specific exposure to exogenous energy sources. In particular, SPNs are capable of eliciting immunogenic cancer cell death, leading to the release of tumor-associated antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns. This allows for the maturation of antigen-presenting cells, thus eliminating disseminated or metastatic tumor cells by cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells. Such immunostimulatory features of SPNs provide opportunities to enhance therapeutic potential by amplifying anticancer immunity when combined with conventional immunotherapeutics, including immune checkpoint inhibitors. This review elaborates on the recent strategies and efforts undertaken by researchers to enhance SPN-elicited cancer immunotherapy. The challenging issues and opportunities for SPNs in the activation of innate or adaptive immune responses and regulation of the tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment are also described.

Automated summary

Immunotherapy is a potent cancer therapy but its clinical applications are limited by low response rates and immune-related adverse effects. Sono/photodynamic nanomedicines (SPNs) have gained attention for enhancing immunotherapy by generating reactive oxygen species and promoting immunogenic cancer cell death.