DataVXACS NanoPaper
journal article·2026-03-10

A Type I/II Photosensitizer with Lysosome-Targeting Capabilities Induces Immunogenic Cell Death in Cancer Cells to Enhance Tumor Immunotherapy

Ping Jiang, Le Wang, Ruming Jiang, Rui Zeng, Weiye Huang, Guanquan Mao, Tao Liu, Ben Zhong Tang, Haiping Cai, Zujin Zhao, Yan Mei

ACS Nano· Volume 20· Issue 9
Publisher page
Source abstract

Abstract

The immunosuppressive microenvironment initially hinders tumors’ response to immunotherapy. Enhancing immunotherapy outcomes can be achieved through a strategy that efficiently activates dendritic cells (DCs), T cells, and macrophages within the tumor microenvironment (TME). This study develops a photosensitizer named CPBPDPN-TPA, which is based on dibenzo[ a, c ]phenazine (DP) and shows an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and delayed fluorescence. It effectively produces both type I and type II reactive oxygen species (ROS), making it a promising option for photodynamic therapy (PDT). CPBPDPN-TPA selectively accumulates in lysosomes and induces significant lysosomal damage in tumor cells when exposed to white light irradiation. This damage leads to both apoptosis and immunogenic cell death (ICD) via ROS, ultimately preventing tumor progression. Importantly, CPBPDPN-TPA also allows the reprogramming of the TME, inducing CD8+ T-cell infiltration, macrophage M1 polarization, and dendritic cell maturation via activating the STING signaling pathway. The combination of PDT and anti-PD-1 treatment creates a synergistic effect that significantly inhibits tumor growth in vivo. In conclusion, this study proposes a model that improves immunotherapy by combining PDT and PD-1 blockade, greatly enhancing antitumor immunity and inhibiting tumor growth effectively.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics · interferon and immune responses · Photodynamic Therapy Research Studies

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

Affiliations

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangzhou Digestive Disease Center, Guangzhou First People’s Hospital

South China University of Technology

School of Materials and Energy

Foshan University

Department of Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences)

Southern Medical University

Department of Otolaryngology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences)

Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Aggregate Science, School of Science and Engineering

Shenzhen Institute of Aggregate Science and Technology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK-Shenzhen)

Department of Neurosurgery, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences)

State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Luminescence from Molecular Aggregates

Funding

Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province · Department of Education of Guangdong Province · National Natural Science Foundation of China · Guangdong Provincial People?s Hospital, Southern Medical University

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