Nanomaterial-Based Tumor Photothermal Immunotherapy

Int J Nanomedicine. 2020 Nov 19:15:9159-9180. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S249252. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

In recent years, photothermal therapy (PTT) particularly nanomaterial-based PTT is a promising therapeutic modality and technique for cancer tumor ablation. In addition to killing tumor cells directly through heat, PTT also can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) to activate the whole-body anti-tumor immune response, including the redistribution and activation of immune effector cells, the expression and secretion of cytokines and the transformation of memory T lymphocytes. When used in combination with immunotherapy, the efficacy of nanomaterial-based PTT can be improved. This article summarized the mechanism of nanomaterial-based PTT against cancer and how nanomaterial-based PTT impacts the tumor microenvironment and induces an immune response. Moreover, we reviewed recent advances of nanomaterial-based photothermal immunotherapy and discussed challenges and future outlook.

Keywords: cell death mechanism of PTT; immunogenic cell death; nanomaterials; photothermal immunotherapy; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hyperthermia, Induced / methods*
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / therapeutic use*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Phototherapy / methods
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Tumor Microenvironment / drug effects

Substances

  • Cytokines

Grants and funding

The project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21372183, 21807083) and the Program for Innovative Teams of Outstanding Young and Middle-aged Researchers in the Higher Education Institutions of Hubei Province (T201702).