Tumor Treatment by Nano-Photodynamic Agents Embedded in Immune Cell Membrane-Derived Vesicles

Abstract

Non-invasive phototherapy includes modalities such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT). When combined with tumor immunotherapy, these therapeutic approaches have demonstrated significant efficacy in treating advanced malignancies, thus attracting considerable attention from the scientific community. However, the progress of these therapies is hindered by inherent limitations and potential adverse effects. Recent findings indicate that certain therapeutic strategies, including phototherapy, can induce immunogenic cell death (ICD), thereby opening new avenues for the integration of phototherapy with tumor immunotherapy. Currently, the development of biofilm nanomaterial-encapsulated drug delivery systems has reached a mature stage. Immune cell membrane-encapsulated nano-photosensitizers hold great promise, as they can enhance the tumor immune microenvironment. Based on bioengineering technology, immune cell membranes can be designed according to the tumor immune microenvironment, thereby enhancing the targeting and immune properties of nano-photosensitizers. Additionally, the space provided by the immune cell membrane allows for the co-encapsulation of immunotherapeutic agents and chemotherapy drugs, achieving a synergistic therapeutic effect. At the same time, the timing of photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be precisely controlled to regulate the action timing of both immunotherapeutic and chemotherapy drugs. This article summarizes and analyzes current research based on the aforementioned advancements.

Keywords: chemotherapy; immune cell membrane; immunotherapy; nano-photodynamic agents; photodynamic therapy.

Figure 1

In recent years, the number of studies on nano-photosensitizers embedded in immune cell membranes has shown an upward trend.

Figure 2

The comprehensive advantages of immune cell membrane-embedded nanomaterials. The encapsulation of nanomaterials by biological membranes mainly consists of two steps: the preparation of the biological membrane and the wrapping of the material. The presence of biological membranes typically enhances the biocompatibility of nanomaterials and imparts unique biological characteristics to the materials. Specifically, the encapsulation of nanomaterials with immune cell membranes can confer certain immunological properties to the materials.

Figure 3

The basis of immune cell recognition of tumors. Adhesion molecules are present on immune cell membranes, which can bind to ligands on vascular endothelial cells in the human body, allowing the cells to migrate to tumors. Subsequently, tumor cells can continuously interact with various proteins on different immune cell membranes through molecular interactions. Based on these factors, after encapsulating nanomaterials with immune cell membranes, the biological properties of the immune cell membranes can be utilized to target tumors.

Figure 4

Immune cell membrane-wrapped nano-photosensitizer enhances material stability and reduces organ toxicity. Due to their small size, nanomaterials can easily penetrate various biological barriers and enter different organs in the body, which may lead to damage to normal organs. Additionally, as nanomaterials are recognized as foreign substances, various types of macrophages in the liver can readily phagocytize and eliminate them. However, after encapsulating the nanomaterials with immune cell membranes, the presence of immune cells allows the nanomaterials to evade these issues by utilizing the biological properties of the immune membranes.

Figure 5

Schematic illustration of the synergistic mechanism of nano-photosensitizers encapsulated within immune cell membranes in combination with other therapeutic agents.