Multifunctional Carbon Nanospheres Induced Immunogenic Cell Death and Inhibited Distal Tumor Growth Based on the Synergistic Effect of Chemodynamic Therapy/Photothermal Therapy

Although immune checkpoint blocking therapy (ICB) has great application prospects, it is limited by the insufficient immunogenicity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Photothermal therapy (PTT) and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) can increase the immunocompetence of the TME by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD). This study, based on the strategy of CDT–PTT synergistically enhancing ICD and combining with ICB, synthesized a nanomedicine delivery system (Cu-TFCNS) with CDT–PTT–ICD functions in one step using a simple “bottom-up” solvothermal method. Cu-TFCNS can actively target tumor cells. Under the stimulation of near-infrared light and the TME, the effect induces a strong ICD. In vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that the combination of Cu-TFCNS and anti PD-L1 body can effectively inhibit the growth of primary tumors and distant metastases (Scheme 1). This study provides an effective ICB strategy to promote antitumor immunotherapy and a method for simple preparation of multifunctional carbon-based nanoimmune adjuvants.