Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence-emitting small organic molecules for cancer imaging and therapy

Abstract

We discuss recent advances made in the development of NIR fluorescence-emitting small organic molecules for tumor imaging and therapy.

Fluorescence, ultrasonic and photoacoustic imaging for analysis and diagnosis of diseases

“…16 Numerous kinds of fluorescent probes (e.g., fluorescent proteins, fluorescent dyes and fluorescent nanomaterial-based probes) have been employed to label and trace different molecules, proteins, cells, and tissues and their dynamic progress. [49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58] In particular, fluorescent proteins are suitable for labeling various cells, viruses, genes and so forth; fluorescent dyes are appropriate for imaging and analyzing antibodies, peptides, small molecule drugs and so on. With significant advances in nanotechnology, nanomaterials (e.g., II-VI quantum dots (QDs), carbon dots (CDs), upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) and silicon-based nanoparticles (SiNPs)) featuring attractive optical properties, have been exploited as novel high-performance fluorescent nanoprobes for biomedical imaging applications.…”

“…, fluorescent proteins, fluorescent dyes and fluorescent nanomaterial-based probes) have been employed to label and trace different molecules, proteins, cells, and tissues and their dynamic progress. 49–58 In particular, fluorescent proteins are suitable for labeling various cells, viruses, genes and so forth; fluorescent dyes are appropriate for imaging and analyzing antibodies, peptides, small molecule drugs and so on. With significant advances in nanotechnology, nanomaterials ( e.g.…”

Oxygen switches: Refueling for cancer radiotherapy

“…oxygen switch helped to achieve spatiotemporal specificity oxygen generation ( 62 ). As the penetration depth of NIR was limited, irradiation-triggered or focused ultrasound-triggered oxygen switch was worth further exploration ( 66 ). Moreover, novel in-situ microorganism-mediated photosynthesis could generate O 2 continuously.…”

A biotin-guided near-infrared fluorescent probe for imaging hydrogen sulfide and differentiating cancer cells

“…3–5 In particular, fluorescence-based methods have been successfully developed for in situ and real-time visualization of cancer biomarkers and further detecting cancers. 6,7 Usually, activatable fluorescent probes are rationally designed to be initially quenched until activation by specific biomarkers. Compared to fluorescent probes that mainly target single cancer biomarkers, 8 dual- and multi-triggered probes can concurrently respond to multiple biomarkers and enhance the detection accuracy.…”