Using molecular beacons for cancer imaging and treatment
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
Dual-modality Molecular Cartography: Integrating Multiplex mRNA Detection with Protein Imaging Mass Cytometry
Published on: November 14, 2025
Klara Stefflova1, Juan Chen, Gang Zheng
1Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, PA, USA.
Abstract:
Molecular beacons are essentially all probes that illuminate particular cellular target or cells with similar characteristics. In this review we focus on those molecular beacons that use near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF-I) to identify the unique cellular and metabolic markers characteristic of cancer. They employ various delivery and activation pathways, selectively or specifically targeting proliferating and immortal cancer cells. These beacons can either be used in an imaging step separate from therapy or they can intimately connect these two steps into a single process. Matching cancer therapy to NIRF-I is photodynamic therapy (PDT) that uses the light-triggered phototoxic properties of some porphyrin-based dyes. Guided by beacon's restored fluorescence, the PDT laser could be focused on affected sites, killing the cancer cells using the enhanced photoactivity of the same beacon. Or vice versa-the restored fluorescence from the cleaved beacon could be used as an indication of the beacon's own therapeutic success, imaging the post-PDT apoptotic cells.
Insights
Molecular beacons utilizing near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF-I) can identify cancer cells. These probes can be integrated with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for targeted cancer treatment and monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Molecular Imaging
- Cancer Therapy
Background:
- Molecular beacons are versatile probes for cellular targeting.
- Near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF-I) offers deep tissue penetration for in vivo imaging.
- Cancer cells exhibit unique metabolic and cellular markers detectable by specialized probes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review molecular beacons designed for NIRF-I detection of cancer.
- To explore the integration of these beacons with cancer therapies, specifically photodynamic therapy (PDT).
- To highlight the dual role of beacons in guiding therapy and assessing treatment efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Focus on molecular beacons employing NIRF-I for cancer cell identification.
- Discussion of various delivery and activation pathways for selective cancer cell targeting.
- Integration strategies of NIRF-I beacons with photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Main Results:
- Molecular beacons enable specific visualization of cancer cells through NIRF-I.
- Beacons can guide PDT by indicating target sites for laser application.
- Cleaved beacons can serve as indicators of successful PDT, visualizing apoptotic cells.
Conclusions:
- Molecular beacons combined with NIRF-I are powerful tools for cancer cell detection.
- The integration of beacons with PDT offers a theranostic approach for cancer treatment.
- This approach allows for precise targeting, therapy delivery, and real-time monitoring of therapeutic response.
