Bionic aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer for enhanced cancer immunotherapy

Cold exposure therapy (CE), as an inexpensive method, has shown great potential in cancer therapy. Exploring the combined anti-tumor mechanism of CE and traditional therapies (such as photodynamic therapy (PDT)) is exciting and promising. Here, a bionic aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer system (named THL) is designed for combined CE to enhance anti-tumor immunotherapy. THL inherits the homologous targeting ability of tumor derived exosomes, promoting the enrichment of THL at the tumor site. Under external illumination, THL generates hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions through type I PDT. In addition, mice are pretreated with cold exposure, which promotes THL mediated PDT and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by reducing the production of ATP and GSH in tumor tissue. This combination therapy increases production of ROS within the tumor, inhibits the growth of distant tumors, recurrent and rechallenged tumors and increases the number of cytotoxic CD8+T cells and memory T cells. Compared to PDT alone, combination therapy shows greater advantages in tumor immunotherapy. The combination therapy strategy provides new ideas for cancer immunotherapy. [Display omitted] •The combination of cold exposure therapy and PDT was first proposed.•The first study investigated the anti-tumor immune effect induced by cold exposure therapy.•The first validation of the advantages of cold exposure therapy in enhancing PDT.