Quickly evolving near‐infrared photoimmunotherapy provides multifaceted approach to modern cancer treatment

Abstract

Among modalities of cancer immunotherapy, near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) has reached significant preclinical and clinical stages and quickly evolved over the last 5 years. NIR-PIT uses deep-penetrable NIR light to induce physicochemical changes in the antibody-photosensitizer conjugate (APC), leading to resultant necrosis and immunogenic cell death (ICD) of the cancer cells. Alternatively, other types of photomedicine use photosensitizers to convert absorbed light energy either into reactive oxygen species for photodynamic therapy (PDT) or into heat for photothermal therapy (PTT). ICD is a unique and relevant outcome of NIR-PIT because it induces long-lasting antitumor host immunity, which overcomes the immunosuppressive network of cancer. Due to its high specificity and durable antitumor effects, NIR-PIT is now considered a promising cancer therapy, and optimized NIR-PIT is readily expanding its applicability to many different types of cancer. Along with the traditional method of NIR-PIT, new avenues in its realm of treatment are currently being explored, such as the targeting of other immunosuppressive elements, delivery of NIR light through a catheter, real-time imaging for tumor detection, and the use of tumor-seeking small molecules for improved efficacy and safety. In addition, its effect on hyperpermeability has opened a door for a wide array of combination therapies with other modalities. This review summarizes the recent findings in clinical and preclinical studies of NIR-induced photomedicine and its future significance in the field of cancer research.

NIR fluorescence imaging and treatment for cancer immunotherapy

“…46 Most studies focus on evaluating the migration and function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in a model of adoptive transfer immunotherapy or Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, and the effector cells are detected by flow cytometry and microscopy days after labeling. 47 The exogenous labeling is generally performed by incubating cells with lipophilic fluorophores. 48 There are two primary mechanisms of entry into the cell: (1) direct fusion with the plasma membrane and (2) endocytosis.…”

“… 46 Most studies focus on evaluating the migration and function of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in a model of adoptive transfer immunotherapy or Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, and the effector cells are detected by flow cytometry and microscopy days after labeling. 47 …”

“…Therefore, the development of theranostic agents which target immune cells is useful for both imaging and inducing reproducible priming of T cells on NIR irradiation, presenting a new avenue for cancer immunotherapy. 47 Currently, there is a paucity of theranostic agents for cancer imaging and immunotherapy. As reviewed in the “Ex vivo” labeling for immune cells section, most current efforts focus on ex vivo labeling of innate immune cells including macrophages or DCs with NPs.…”

A Photosensitized Singlet Oxygen (1O2) Toolbox for Bio-Organic Applications: Tailoring 1O2 Generation for DNA and Protein Labelling, Targeting and Biosensing

“…In the first few years that followed, researchers explored the degree of substitution on the mAB and different linking methods [ 279 , 280 ]. Currently, several reviews concerning this topic were published in the last two years and clinical trials are ongoing [ 281 , 282 , 283 , 284 , 285 ]. Given that these recent reviews cover the topic in detail, antibody–PS conjugates will not be covered in more detail in this particular review.…”

Next-generation engineered nanogold for multimodal cancer therapy and imaging: a clinical perspectives

“…Each group received a single dose infusion of AuroShell (TM) particles followed by interstitial illuminations with an 808 nm laser, followed by monitoring for 6 months. It was found that the treatment was followed by few adverse side effects [ 192 ].…”