Near-Infrared Light Photocatalysis Enables Synergistic Cancer Therapy.

Extending photocatalysis into living systems is hindered by the tissue penetration of ultraviolet (UV)/visible light. We herein report a novel near-infrared (NIR) photocatalyst, constructed by conjugating a Pt(II) porphyrin with a cyanine dye. Upon 808 nm irradiation, it operates via dual energy/electron-transfer pathways to simultaneously generate reactive oxygen species (1O2, O2·-, ·OH) and oxidize the metabolic cofactor NADH. This dual action disrupts redox balance and induces immunogenic cell death. Delivered as biocompatible nanoparticles, the system enables precise tumor delineation by fluorescence (FL)/photoacoustic (PA) imaging, and proceeds by activating tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells, thus impeding both primary and distant tumor progression to achieve high therapeutic efficiency. This work establishes an NIR photocatalytic strategy for synergistic cancer therapy.