An optimal portfolio of photothermal combined immunotherapy

Photothermal therapy (PTT) applies photothermal agents to convert light into heat to eliminate primary tumors and induce subsequent immune responses, but the ineffectiveness in metastatic or recurrent tumors hinders its further use. Based on adaptive immunity, immunotherapy can suppress tumor growth, but the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment limits the therapeutic effect. Excellent synergistic effects on primary and distant tumors have been found in many studies combining two therapies. In this review, the principles, materials, and latest research on photothermal immunotherapy are described in detail. The advantages and disadvantages of the combination therapy and its development prospects are also discussed rationally, which we hope will provide readers with both basic background knowledge of and cutting-edge research content about the combination therapy.