Multimodal Cancer Imaging Using Lanthanide-Based Upconversion Nanoparticles

Abstract

Multimodal nanoprobes that integrate different imaging modalities in one nano-system could offer synergistic effect over any modality alone to satisfy the higher requirements on the efficiency and accuracy for clinical diagnosis and medical research. Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), particularly lanthanide (Ln)-based NPs have been regarded as an ideal building block for constructing multimodal bioprobes due to their fascinating properties. In this review, we first summarize recent advances in the optimizations of existing UCNPs. In particular, we highlight the applications of Ln-based UCNPs for multimodal cancer imaging in vitro and in vivo. The explorations of UCNPs-based multimodal nanoprobes for targeting diagnosis and imaging-guided therapeutics are also presented. Finally, the challenges and perspectives of Ln-based UCNPs in this rapid growing field are discussed.

Systematic investigation of functional ligands for colloidal stable upconversion nanoparticles

“…We employed RAFT polymerization techniques for the synthesis of three amphiphilic di-block copolymers (POEGA 20 -b-PMAEP 5 , POEGA 20 -b-PAA 5 and POEGA 20 -b-PAMPS 5 ). These copolymers are composed of the same length of hydrophilic block polymer POEGA to render the biocompatibility and hydrophilicity, and a short hydrophobic block containing the ve repeating units of phosphate, carboxylic acid and sulphonic acid functional groups (PMAEP, PAA and PAMPS) (Scheme 1).…”

“…[1][2][3] Due to the unique emission properties of the photon upconversion process, UCNPs have become one of the most efficient multi-photon probes for deep-tissue light-triggered drug delivery. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Upconversion materials consist of a crystalline host matrix doped with certain sensitizer and activator lanthanide ions determining the excitation and emission wavelength of the nanoparticles. This unique structure grants UCNPs appealing properties, including resistance to photoblinking, photobleaching, minimal photodamage and autouorescence background in comparison with other luminescent materials (e.g.…”

Recent Advancements in Ln‐Ion‐Based Upconverting Nanomaterials and Their Biological Applications

“…In single UCNPs, this multimodal MRI/UCL/CT imaging probe exhibits high performance imaging and favors accurate MR diagnosis of brain tumor cells with fluorescence quenching. Several reviews have been published on the application of UCNPs for multimodal imaging applications …”

“…Several reviews have been published on the application of UCNPs for multimodal imaging applications. [194][195][196][197] Hybrid nanostructures are another interesting area of research. The potential of combining the properties of different nanoparticles into a single hybrid nanostructure prove to be useful in multimodal bioimaging and other applications.…”

915 nm Light‐Triggered Photodynamic Therapy and MR/CT Dual‐Modal Imaging of Tumor Based on the Nonstoichiometric Na0.52YbF3.52:Er Upconversion Nanoprobes

“…More importantly, the long‐lived red emissions (sub‐ms range) from the UCNPs as energy donors overlap well with the absorptions of many photosensitizers such as zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) and Chlorin e6, which enables high efficient energy transfer (ET) for activating the photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of internal tumors upon NIR light irradiation . These characteristics render the UCNPs excellent versatile nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics, that is, concurrent noninvasive diagnosis and therapy . Previously, various UCNPs or UCNP‐based nanocomposites have been prepared for cancer theranostics in which the PDTs were mainly triggered by 980 nm laser light because of the high absorption cross section of the sensitization ions Yb 3+ at this wavelength .…”