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Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging CLI for Cancer Therapy Monitoring
Published on: November 13, 2012
High-Performance Near-Infrared Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogen with Mitophagy Regulating Capability for
Yue Li1, Jiabao Zhuang1, Ying Lu1
1Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry of MOE, Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Science of Shaanxi Province, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China.
Abstract:
The construction of intelligent near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores for high specificity to cancer cells and application in multiple therapeutic modalities is crucial for precise cancer diagnostic and therapy. In this study, an aggregation-induced emission-active NIR fluorophore (TACQ) with mitophagy-modulating activity was synthesized and developed for mitochondrial targeting multimodal cancer theranostics. The strengthened push-pull interaction extended the emission of TACQ into the NIR-II region (>1000 nm). Further, the rotor structure and twisted molecular conformation enables nanoaggregates of TACQ to balance the radiative and nonradiative decays to simultaneously exhibit bright NIR emission, high photothermal conversion efficiency (55%), and efficient generation of reactive oxygen species. The lipocationic property of TACQ allows it to selectively accumulate in the mitochondria of cancer cells. TACQ can induce mitophagy and block mitophagic flux facilitating cancer cell apoptosis. Both in vitro and in vivo evaluations revealed that TACQ is an efficient theranostic agent for NIR fluorescence and photothermal imaging-guided synergistic chemo-photothermal and photodynamic therapy.
Insights
Researchers developed a novel near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore, TACQ, for targeted cancer theranostics. This intelligent molecule enables precise imaging and multimodal therapy by accumulating in mitochondria and modulating mitophagy.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Developing advanced near-infrared (NIR) fluorophores is essential for precise cancer diagnostics and therapies.
- Multimodal theranostic agents are needed for integrated cancer treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize an aggregation-induced emission-active NIR fluorophore (TACQ) for mitochondrial targeting and multimodal cancer theranostics.
- To evaluate TACQ's potential in NIR fluorescence and photothermal imaging-guided synergistic therapy.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of an aggregation-induced emission-active NIR fluorophore (TACQ) with a push-pull structure and twisted conformation.
- Characterization of TACQ's photophysical properties, including NIR-II emission, photothermal conversion efficiency, and reactive oxygen species generation.
- Evaluation of TACQ's mitochondrial targeting, mitophagy-modulating activity, and theranostic efficacy in vitro and in vivo.
Main Results:
- TACQ exhibits bright NIR-II emission (>1000 nm) and high photothermal conversion efficiency (55%).
- The lipocationic TACQ selectively accumulates in cancer cell mitochondria, inducing mitophagy and blocking mitophagic flux.
- In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate TACQ's effectiveness as a theranostic agent for imaging-guided synergistic chemo-photothermal and photodynamic therapy.
Conclusions:
- TACQ is a promising intelligent NIR fluorophore for multimodal cancer theranostics.
- The developed fluorophore offers precise mitochondrial targeting and synergistic therapeutic effects for enhanced cancer treatment.
