Scheme 1.

Schematic illustration showing the mechanism of ZnO-triggered combination therapy. ZnO NPs can not only guard pH-responsive targeted drug delivery but also induce ICD, which shows as adjuvant function. Also, the AuNP@mSiO₂-based PTT can result in apoptosis and necrosis directly. DOX not only resulted in apoptosis and necrosis but also elicited ICD. The combination strategy promotes the maturation of DCs and presents tumor antigens to naïve T cells, further stimulating the infiltration of tumor-specific effector T cells into primary and metastatic tumors, preventing the progression and metastasis of melanoma. ICD represents Immunogenic Cell Death while L refers to laser irradiation.