Host immune response triggered by graphene quantum-dot-mediated photodynamic therapy for oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Introduction: With the innovation of photosensitizers, photodynamic therapy is now widely used in antitumor detection and treatment. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are proposed as a promising alternative photosensitizer due to their high biocompatibility, specific photoactivity, and strong tumor concentration. However, the changes in host immunity triggered by GQDs have only rarely been reported. Methods: In this work, GQDs as photosensitizers were conjugated to polyethylene glycol (PEG) to enhance solubility and blood circulation. The phototoxicity of the resulting GQD-PEG nanomaterials was then detected in vitro and in vivo. The antitumor immunity triggered by GQDPEG under irradiation was further evaluated in an oral squamous cell carcinoma animal model. Results: The obtained GQD-PEG nanomaterials exhibited low cytotoxicity, good solution stability, and excellent endocytosis. Both in vitro and in vivo, all demonstrated strong ablation for oral squamous cell carcinoma under irradiation. Meanwhile, host-immunityrelated CD8+ T cells (cytotoxic T lymphocytes) and proinflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ and TNF-α, were significantly increased after photo-activated antitumor activity. Conclusion: These results highlight the dominant role of GQD-PEG in photodynamic therapy and could have significant implications for further combination therapy as a promising antitumor immune response strategy triggered by nanomaterials.