Choi, Jiwoong Shim, Man Kyu Yang, Suah Hwang, Hee Sook Cho, Hanhee Kim, Jeongrae Yun, Wan Su Moon, Yujeong Kim, Jinseong Yoon, Hong Yeol Kim, Kwangmeyung 2024-01-19T14:03:40Z 2024-01-19T14:03:40Z 2021-10-21 2021-07-27 1936-0851 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/116677 Immune checkpoint blockade is a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy, but many patients do not respond due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ITM). Herein, we propose visible-light-triggered prodrug nanoparticles (LT-NPs) for reversing ITM into high immunogenic tumors to potentiate checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. The photosensitizer (verteporfin; VPF), cathepin B-specific cleavable peptide (FRRG), and doxorubicin (DOX) conjugates are self-assembled into LT-NPs without any additional carrier material. The LT-NPs are specifically cleaved to VPF and DOX in cathepsin B-overexpressing cancer cells, thereby inducing cancer-specific cytotoxicity and immunogenic cell death (ICD) upon visible light irradiation. In tumor models, LT-NPs highly accumulate within tumors via the enhanced permeability and retention effect, and photochemotherapy of VPF and DOX induces effective ICD and maturation of dendritic cells to stimulate cross-presentation of cancer-antigens to T cells. Furthermore, LT-NPs with PD-L1 blockade greatly inhibit tumor growth, tumor recurrence, and lung metastasis by initiating a strong antitumor immune response. The photochemotherapy by LT-NPs provides a promising strategy for effective checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. English AMER CHEMICAL SOC IMMUNE INHIBITORS Visible-Light-Triggered Prodrug Nanoparticles Combine Chemotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy to Potentiate Checkpoint Blockade Cancer Immunotherapy Article 10.1021/acsnano.1c03416 1 ACS NANO, v.15, no.7, pp.12086 - 12098 ACS NANO 15 7 12086 12098 scie scopus 000679406500097 2-s2.0-85110280892 Chemistry, Multidisciplinary Chemistry, Physical Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Materials Science, Multidisciplinary Chemistry Science & Technology - Other Topics Materials Science Article IMMUNE INHIBITORS light-triggered prodrug photochemotherapy antitumor immune response immune checkpoint blockade cancer immunotherapy