DataVXACS Applied Materials & InterfacesPaper
journal article·2026-04-01

Chlorin e6 and Regorafenib Assemblies to Boost Photodynamic Immunotherapy through PD-L1 Downregulation and Tumor-Associated Macrophage Reprogramming

Chu-Yu Huang, Yun Ye, Shao-Yi Chen, Zu-Xiao Chen, Wen-Feng Zhu, A-Li Chen, Ying-Ling Miao, Shi-Ying Li

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces· Volume 18· Issue 12
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Source abstract

Abstract

The effectiveness of immunotherapy is significantly limited by the inherently low immunogenicity and immunosuppressive phenotypes of tumors. To address this challenge, we develop assemblies composed of chlorin e6 and regorafenib (designated as CeRe), which combine photodynamic therapy (PDT) with immune regulatiing functions. CeRe exhibits uniform nanoscale distribution and good stability without requiring additional carriers. Upon light activation, CeRe eradicate tumor cells via PDT-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) while simultaneously triggering immunogenic cell death (ICD). Furthermore, CeRe downregulates PD-L1 expression in tumor cells, promotes macrophage polarization, and relieves the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). These synergistic immunomodulatory effects substantially improve tumor responsiveness to αPD-L1 treatment, leading to the effective inhibition of both primary and metastatic tumor growth. Collectively, this work presents a carrier-free nanodrug assembly strategy with multifaceted mechanisms, offering a promising approach for precise tumor therapy and metastasis suppression.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

Nanomaterials

OpenAlex topics: Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics · Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies · Graphene and Nanomaterials Applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Guangzhou Medical University

Thoracic Oncology Institute, Department of Thoracic Surgery

Peking University People’s Hospital

Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Institute

National Key Laboratory of Southern China for Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery

the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University

Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Delivery System

Guangdong Pharmaceutical University

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province · Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Program key projects · National Natural Science Foundation of China

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