NIR responsive tumor vaccine in situ for photothermal ablation and chemotherapy to trigger robust antitumor immune responses
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 5, 2025
Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy for Mouse Models of Pleural Dissemination
Published on: February 9, 2021
Lirong Zhang1, Jingjing Zhang2, Lixia Xu2
1Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Therapeutic tumor vaccine (TTV) that induces tumor-specific immunity has enormous potentials in tumor treatment, but high heterogeneity and poor immunogenicity of tumor seriously impair its clinical efficacy. Herein, a novel NIR responsive tumor vaccine in situ (HA-PDA@IQ/DOX HG) was prepared by integrating hyaluronic acid functionalized polydopamine nanoparticles (HA-PDA NPs) with immune adjuvants (Imiquimod, IQ) and doxorubicin (DOX) into thermal-sensitive hydrogel.
Results:
HA-PDA@IQ NPs with high photothermal conversion efficiency (41.2%) and T1-relaxation efficiency were using HA as stabilizer by the one-pot oxidative polymerization. Then, HA-PDA@IQ loaded DOX via π-π stacking and mixed with thermal-sensitive hydrogel to form the HA-PDA@IQ/DOX HG. The hydrogel-confined delivery mode endowed HA-PDA@IQ/DOX NPs with multiple photothermal ablation performance once injection upon NIR irradiation due to the prolonged retention in tumor site. More importantly, this mode enabled HA-PDA@IQ/DOX NPs to promote the DC maturation, memory T cells in lymphatic node as well as cytotoxic T lymphocytes in spleen.
Conclusion:
Taken together, the HA-PDA@IQ/DOX HG could be served as a theranostic tumor vaccine for complete photothermal ablation to trigger robust antitumor immune responses.
Insights
This study introduces a novel near-infrared responsive tumor vaccine that combines photothermal ablation with immune stimulation. This innovative therapeutic tumor vaccine (TTV) effectively triggers robust antitumor immune responses for enhanced cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Immunology
Background:
- Tumor heterogeneity and poor immunogenicity limit therapeutic tumor vaccine (TTV) efficacy.
- Developing novel strategies is crucial for enhancing TTVs in cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a novel near-infrared (NIR) responsive tumor vaccine in situ.
- To improve TTV efficacy through combined photothermal ablation and immune stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized hyaluronic acid-functionalized polydopamine nanoparticles (HA-PDA NPs) with immune adjuvants (Imiquimod, IQ) and doxorubicin (DOX).
- Encapsulated HA-PDA@IQ/DOX nanoparticles within a thermal-sensitive hydrogel (HG).
- Utilized NIR irradiation for photothermal ablation and drug release.
Main Results:
- HA-PDA@IQ NPs exhibited high photothermal conversion efficiency (41.2%) and T1-relaxation efficiency.
- The hydrogel-confined delivery enhanced nanoparticle retention and photothermal ablation.
- The vaccine promoted dendritic cell maturation, memory T cells, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
Conclusions:
- The developed HA-PDA@IQ/DOX HG acts as a theranostic tumor vaccine.
- It enables complete photothermal ablation and triggers potent antitumor immune responses.
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