We have presented oxygen self-sufficient near infrared-activatable liposomes to overcome hypoxia-associated photodynamic resistance.

A class of luminescent ion pairs with tunable emission colors was designed and synthesized for light-emitting devices and electrochromic switches.

This article highlights the utilization of phosphorescent iridium(iii) complexes for biosensing and photodynamic therapy. Comments on the effectiveness of these complexes in biological applications are included. Challenges and potential solutions are also discussed for further development and exploitation.

A luminescent nanoprobe has been designed for detection of oxygen. The nanoprobe exhibits high sensitivity, selectivity and excellent reversibility, and has been employed for hypoxia imaging in vitro and in vivo by ratiometric and photoluminescence lifetime imaging techniques.

Intratumoral hypoxia extremely limits the clinic applications of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Endoperoxides allow thermally releasing singlet oxygen (1O2) in a defined quantity and offer promising opportunities for oxygen-independent PDT treatment of hypoxic tumors. However, previous composite systems by combining endoperoxides with photothermal reagents may result in unpredicted side effects and potential harmful impacts during therapy in vivo. Herein, we de novo design an all-in-one polymer carrier, which can photothermally release 1O2. The strategy has been demonstrated to effectively enhance the production of 1O2 and realize the photodamage in vitro, especially in hypoxic environment. Additionally, the polymer carrier accumulates into tumor after intravenous injection via the enhanced permeation and retention effects and accelerates the oxygen-independent generation of 1O2 in tumors. The oxidative damage results in good inhibitory effect on tumor growth. Realization of the strategy in vivo paves a new way to construct photothermal-triggered oxygen-independent therapeutic platform for clinical applications.