Laser-Assisted Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment

Laser-assisted immunotherapy combines targeted photothermal or photochemical ablation of tumours with the deliberate activation of the host immune system to achieve both local tumour control and systemic antitumour immunity. In this approach, laser irradiation is used to induce immunogenic cell death within the tumour microenvironment, resulting in the release of tumour antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns. Concurrent administration of immunoadjuvants or checkpoint inhibitors amplifies antigen presentation and recruits innate and adaptive immune effectors, including neutrophils, dendritic cells, B cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The spatial precision of laser delivery minimises damage to healthy tissues, while the induced immune response can target residual or disseminated tumour cells. Developments in nanoparticle carriers, near-infrared light sources and real-time thermometry have improved depth of penetration, controlled thermal dosing and optimised antigen release. Preclinical models have demonstrated durable immune memory, resistance to tumour rechallenge and synergy with systemic immunotherapies. Ongoing clinical investigations in melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and breast cancer are exploring optimal immunoadjuvant combinations, light parameters and patient selection, underlining the potential of laser-assisted immunotherapy as a personalised in situ cancer vaccine strategy.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Laser-Assisted Immunotherapy for Cancer Treatment publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in laser-assisted immunotherapy for cancer treatment across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Laser immunotherapy: A therapy combining laser-induced tumour ablation with immunostimulant administration to provoke a systemic antitumour immune response.

Photothermal therapy (PTT): The use of laser light to generate heat in target tissue, causing controlled tumour cell death.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT): A modality in which light-activated photosensitisers produce reactive oxygen species to destroy tumour cells.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD): A form of cell death that releases antigens and danger signals to activate adaptive immunity.

Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs): Endogenous molecules released by stressed or dying cells that stimulate innate immune receptors.

Immunoadjuvant: An agent that enhances the magnitude or quality of an immune response to co-delivered antigens.

References

1. Photonics immunotherapy — A novel strategy for cancer treatment. Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences (2016).
2. Cancer photo-immunotherapy: from bench to bedside. Theranostics (2021).
3. Neutrophil infiltration and whole-cell vaccine elicited by N-dihydrogalactochitosan combined with NIR phototherapy to enhance antitumor immune response and T cell immune memory. Theranostics (2020).
4. Laser immunotherapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with optimal thermal effects to enhance tumour immunogenicity. International Journal of Hyperthermia (2018).
5. Monitoring tissue temperature during photothermal therapy for cancer.. Journal of Bio-X Research (2019).