Combining PD-L1 inhibitors with immunogenic cell death triggered by chemo-photothermal therapy via a thermosensitive liposome system to stimulate tumor-specific immunological response

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy in combination with immunogenic death (ICD) triggered by photothermal therapy (PTT) and oxaliplatin (OXA) treatment was expected to elicit both innate and adaptive immune responses for tumor control and metastasis prevention. In this study, a photothermal agent (IR780), a folic acid (FA) linked oxaliplatin (OXA) prodrug, and PD-L1 inhibitors (BMS-1) were integrated into a liposomal system. The FA tumor-targeting and enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect of the liposomal system prolonged circulating times and increased accumulation in tumors, resulting in an enhanced photothermal effect and less systemic toxicity. In addition, PTT and OXA had a considerable synergistic effect in the induction of a combined ICD. The PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint, which is a negative immune regulatory mechanism, could be blocked by the thermosensitive released BMS-1. Finally, ICD was harnessed to synergize with a small molecule PD-L1 inhibitor for activation of the immune system in the treatment of tumor relapse and metastasis.