Synergistic anti-tumor activity of photothermal-/immunotherapy in the mice bearing orthotopic 4T1 breast cancer (both sides). (a) Schematic illustration of the proposed mechanism of anti-tumor immune responses induced by CPCI/Imiquimod-NP in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy. (b) Schematic illustration of synergistic therapy effect of photothermal-/immunotherapy to inhibit tumor growth at primary and distant sites. (c) Primary tumor and (d) distant tumor growth curves of different groups mice bearing 4T1 breast tumors (n = 6 per group; dose of imiquimod: 1.25 mg kg−1, total telodendrimer: 50 mg kg−1 and ICGD: 7 mg kg−1, intraperitoneal injection of anti-PD-1 200 μg per mouse on day 2 and 8). **p < 0.01 in (d) by comparing group 5 (CPCI/Imiquimod-NP + α-PD-1) with group 7 (CPCI/Imiquimod-NP + 808 nm laser + α-PD-1); **p < 0.01 in e by comparing group 5 (CPCI/Imiquimod-NP + α-PD-1) with group 7 (CPCI/Imiquimod-NP + 808 nm laser + α-PD-1) and comparing group 4 (CPCI/Imiquimod-NP) with the group 3 (CPCI/Imiquimod-NP + 808 nm laser). (e) Representative photo of tumor volume variation in the mouse treated by CPCI/Imiquimod-NP plus 808 nm laser plus anti-PD-1. The red circle and blue circle shows primary and distant tumor, respectively. (f) The expression of CD11b, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-12 with different treatments in both sides tumor tissues evaluated by RT-PCR (mean ± s.d., n = 3).