CD44-targeted NIR-PIT combined with short term anti-PD-1 ICI yielded CR (complete remission) to MOC2-luc tumors. Combination of CD44-targeted NIR-PIT and anti-PD-1 ICI was tested on MOC2-luc tumor-bearing mice. Control, no treatment; CD44-PIT, i.v. injection of anti-CD44-IR700 with NIR light exposure; PD-1, i.p. injection of anti-PD-1 only; combination, i.v. injection of anti-CD44-IR700 with NIR light exposure and i.p. injection of anti-PD-1. (A) NIR-PIT regimen. Each treatment timing and doses are indicated. Bioluminescence images were obtained at each time point indicated. (B) The luciferase activity was quantified and shown in relative percentage to the signal intensity before treatment in four groups (n = 9; ****, p < 0.0001; one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test). (C) Tumor growth curves (n = 9; *, p < 0.05; ****, p < 0.0001; one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test). (D) Kaplan–Meier survival analysis following NIR-PIT treatment (n = 9; *, p < 0.05, **, p < 0.01, ***, p < 0.001; log-rank test followed by Bonferroni correction). Each value in B and C represents means ± SEM of independent experiments.