Boosted photo-immunotherapy via near-infrared light excited phototherapy in tumor sites and photo-activation in sentinel lymph nodes

Phototherapy is a promising modality that could eradicate tumor and trigger immune responses via immunogenic cell death (ICD) to enhance anti-tumor immunity. However, due to the lack of deep-tissue-excitable phototherapeutic agents and appropriate excitation strategies, the utility of phototherapy for efficient activation of the immune system is challenging. Herein, we report functionalized ICG nanoparticles (NPs) with the capture capability of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). Under near-infrared (NIR) light excitation, the ICG NPs exhibited high-performance phototherapy, i.e., synergistic photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, thereby efficiently eradicating primary solid tumor and inducing ICD and subsequently releasing TAAs. The ICG NPs also captured TAAs and delivered them to sentinel lymph nodes, and then the sentinel lymph nodes were activated with NIR light to trigger efficient T-cell immune responses through activation of dendritic cells with the assistance of ICG NP generated reactive oxygen species, inhibiting residual primary tumor recurrence and controlling distant tumor growth. The strategy of NIR light excited phototherapy in tumor sites and photo-activation in sentinel lymph nodes provides a powerful platform for active immune systems for anti-tumor photo-immunotherapy.