Tumor immunotherapy like immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) shows great success nowadays but is severely limited by low response rates and immune-related adverse events (IRAEs). While photodynamic therapy (PDT) could efficiently eradicate tumor cells and further induce immune responses to promote activating of T lymphocytes. Herein a nanodrug hierarchically incorporating photosensitizer and PD-L1 antibody was developed for synergistic tumor immuno-photodynamic therapy. A pH/enzyme dual-sensitive polymeric micelle with sheddable PEG coating was designed for codelivery of PD-L1 antibody and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) in the tumor. The tumor microenvironment featuring low pH and high matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2) sequentially triggered the shedding of PEG and the release of PD-L1 antibody to exert local ICB in tumor tissue, after which the remaining nanodrug with ZnPc undergoing charge reversal was readily delivered into tumor cells. With light irradiation, the photodynamic therapy effect of sAMPc induced immunogenic cell death of tumor cells and further promoted intratumor recruitment of CD8+ T cells, thus resulting in a synergistic immuno-photodynamic therapy with ICB. Moreover, the PEG-sheddable strategy endowed the nanodrug with stealth properties in blood circulation, making the IRAEs of PD-L1 antibody significantly reduced. This pH/MMP-2 dual-sensitive PEG sheddable nanodrug provids a promising strategy for well-combined ICB therapy and PDT to achieve improved anticancer immuno-photodynamic therapy with reduced adverse effects.
Keywords: PEG-sheddable nanodrug; hierarchical drugs release; immuno-photodynamic therapy; polymeric micelle; tumor microenvironment dual-sensitive.