Advances in Prostate‐Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)‐Targeted Phototheranostics of Prostate Cancer

Abstract

With the advent of the era of precision medicine, prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA)‐targeted theranostic strategies have had a profound impact on prostate cancer research. As a specific membrane antigen target, PSMA is not only widely expressed in prostate cancer tissues but its expression is also correlated with tumor aggressiveness. Because of the noninvasiveness, real‐time nature, high sensitivity, and low side effects of phototheranostics, in recent years, there has been a rapid advancement in PSMA‐targeted phototheranostics, such as near‐infrared fluorescence imaging and imaging‐guided surgical navigation, photoacoustic imaging, dual‐modality hybrid imaging and imaging‐guided surgical navigation, photodynamic therapy, and photothermal therapy. Herein, the design and application of various types of imaging probes and photosensitizers based on PSMA targeting developed in the past two decades are reviewed, with a focus on molecular design strategies for near‐infrared fluorescent probes and hybrid tracers. In addition, the challenges of and future opportunities for the clinical translation of phototheranostics in the field of prostate cancer are discussed.

Highly Effective Generation of Singlet Oxygen by an Imidazole-Linked Robust Photosensitizing Covalent Organic Framework

“…To further investigate the efficient photosensitization process of PyPor-COF in the singlet oxygen generation, transient absorption (TA) spectra (Figure d) were then examined. − Combined with the full period time analyses, when the electrons in the valence band structure are excited, PyPor-COF produces the initial signal at 660 and 750 nm ( t 1 = 1.7 ps, t 2 = 159 ps). After a slow decay ( t 3 = 2.52 ns), the strong signal intensity is still maintained until the end of the delay region time of the femtosecond laser system ( t 4 = 7.37 ns), as shown in Figure e.…”

Noncancerous disease-targeting AIEgens

“…However, AIEgens possess multiple properties that confer them with great advantages over traditional probes and therapeutic agents, these properties allow not only imaging but also endow them with the potential for applications in therapeutic modalities. They can be used as drug delivery platforms 225 for photothermal therapy (PTT), 226,227 photodynamic therapy (PDT), 228 radiotherapy (RT), 229 sonodynamic therapy (SDT), 230 immunotherapy, 231 and synergistic therapy. 232–234 Accordingly, AIEgens are regarded as “all-in-one athletes” for disease detection, diagnosis, bioimaging, and therapeutics.…”

PSMA-Targeted Nanotheranostics for Imaging and Radiotherapy of Prostate Cancer

“…Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), also known as prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a well-validated target for imaging and treatment of PCa, as it is overexpressed in most primary PCa lesions along with distant metastatic lesions and metastatic lymph nodes [ 8 ]. The GCPII is a class II transmembrane glycoprotein that hydrolyses one of the highly prevalent neurotransmitters, N-Acetyl-l-aspartyl-l-glutamate (NAAG) [ 9 ].…”