Peptide-based supramolecular nanomaterials with super-large red-shifted absorption for antitumor therapy

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a near-infrared dye with photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) effects, widely used in cancer treatment. In this study, a multifunctional nanoplatform (ICG-TP-5) was successfully constructed through the supramolecular co-assembly of ICG and TP-5, enabling multimodal synergistic therapy for tumors. The nanomaterial demonstrated remarkable stability in aqueous solution at 4 °C for at least three months, effectively addressing the inherent limitations of ICG while enhancing its bioavailability. Driven by molecular self-assembly-induced J-aggregation effects, the near-infrared (NIR) absorption peak of the material exhibited super-large red-shift absorption from 785 nm to 947 nm, significantly enhancing tissue penetration depth and photoconversion efficiency. This optical optimization synergistically amplified both PTT and PDT efficacy, offering a promising strategy for treating deep-seated malignancies. Innovatively, this platform integrated PDT/PTT with TP-5-mediated immune activation, establishing a trimodal therapeutic mechanism. In vitro experiments confirmed its selective cytotoxicity against diverse cancer cells, while in vivo studies revealed that the combined therapy markedly suppressed tumor growth and activated systemic antitumor immunity. These findings provide a robust nanomedicine candidate with enhanced stability, deep-tissue penetrability, and multimodal therapeutic synergy, paving the way for precision treatment of aggressive and deep-seated tumors.