Abstract
Photo-responsive/activable nanomedicine-driven therapies have emerged as a transformative approach to effectively target and eliminate tumors across different types of solid cancers. When synergistically combined with immunomodulators, these therapies significantly enhance anti-cancer efficacy. This comprehensive review examines the current advancements in photo-responsive/activable immunomodulator-loaded nanomedicines (PINs), providing a detailed analysis of their preclinical development, clinical translation, and associated research funding. The diverse PINs are systematically categorized, innovative design strategies are explored, and the underlying photo-responsive/activable and immunomodulatory mechanisms are elucidated. By integrating clinical advancements with technical innovations and financial perspectives, this review bridges the translational gap, underscoring the immense potential of PINs to revolutionize cancer therapy. This comprehensive resource is indispensable for researchers striving to bring phototherapies to clinical fruition in the battle against cancer.