Photodynamic therapy combined with immunotherapy: Recent advances and future research directions

Ru(II) Phenanthroline-Based Oligothienyl Complexes as Phototherapy Agents

“…In addition, PDT can induce hypoxia as oxygen is consumed during irradiation. , Decreased generation of ROS limits damage to cancerous cells. To address this, there is motivation to develop light-triggered compounds that exploit oxygen-independent mechanisms for phototoxicity. − In this context, metal complexes such as Ru(II) polypyridyl systems have attracted considerable attention. ,,,− Judicious choice of ligand–metal combinations provides access to a variety of excited-state configurations with characteristic photophysical properties and reactivities. Strategies have included photorelease of bulky ligands to reveal phototoxic metals and/or ligands, ,,,,,− photocaging of chemotherapeutics and enzyme inhibitors, ,,,,,− …”

Porphyrins—valuable pigments of life

“…PDT is a type of phototherapy that combines light irradiation, photosensitizers, and oxygen to selectively destroy cancer cells (Brown et al, 2004;Castano et al, 2006;. The photosensitizer (PS) is excited with light in order to convert molecular oxygen into cytotoxic ROS, such as 1 O 2 (Warszyńska et al, 2023). This procedure causes oxidative stress in cancer cells, which leads to cell death.…”

Targeted pH-Activated Peptide-Based Nanomaterials for Combined Photodynamic Therapy with Immunotherapy

“…While each of these components individually lacks toxic effects on biological systems, their combined action generates reactive oxygen species, resulting in localized cell death and tissue destruction. − In contrast to conventional treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, which may lead to systemic toxicity, and radiation therapy which poses a risk to adjacent normal tissues, PDT offers several advantages. , These include minimal invasiveness, the potential for repeated sessions without cumulative toxicity, exceptional functional and cosmetic outcomes, reduced long-term morbidity, and an improved quality of life for patients. Furthermore, PDT exhibits the capacity to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD), releasing tumor-associated antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns. − This activation triggers the host immune system, leading to acute inflammation, leukocyte infiltration into tumors, and an enhanced presentation of tumor-derived antigens to T cells . This immunomodulatory aspect adds another layer of therapeutic benefit to PDT.…”

“…Furthermore, PDT exhibits the capacity to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD), releasing tumor-associated antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns. 9 − 12 This activation triggers the host immune system, leading to acute inflammation, leukocyte infiltration into tumors, and an enhanced presentation of tumor-derived antigens to T cells. 13 This immunomodulatory aspect adds another layer of therapeutic benefit to PDT.…”