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Multifunctional nanotheranostics for near infrared optical imaging-guided treatment of brain tumors
Li Zhang1, Yue Liu1, Haiyan Huang1
1School of Science, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Flexible Printed Electronics Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China.
Abstract:
Malignant brain tumors, a heterogeneous group of primary and metastatic neoplasms in the central nervous system (CNS), are notorious for their highly invasive and devastating characteristics, dismal prognosis and low survival rate. Recently, near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging modalities including fluorescence imaging (FLI) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) have displayed bright prospect in innovation of brain tumor diagnoses, due to their merits, like noninvasiveness, high spatiotemporal resolution, good sensitivity and large penetration depth. Importantly, these imaging techniques have been widely used to vividly guide diverse brain tumor therapies in a real-time manner with high accuracy and efficiency. Herein, we provide a systematic summary of the state-of-the-art NIR contrast agents (CAs) for brain tumors single-modal imaging (e.g., FLI and PAI), dual-modal imaging (e.g., FLI/PAI, FLI/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and PAI/MRI) and triple-modal imaging (e.g., MRI/FLI/PAI and MRI/PAI/computed tomography (CT) imaging). In addition, we update the most recent progress on the NIR optical imaging-guided therapies, like single-modal (e.g., photothermal therapy (PTT), chemotherapy, surgery, photodynamic therapy (PDT), gene therapy and gas therapy), dual-modal (e.g., PTT/chemotherapy, PTT/surgery, PTT/PDT, PDT/chemotherapy, PTT/chemodynamic therapy (CDT) and PTT/gene therapy) and triple-modal (e.g., PTT/PDT/chemotherapy, PTT/PDT/surgery, PTT/PDT/gene therapy and PTT/gene/chemotherapy). Finally, we discuss the opportunities and challenges of the CAs and nanotheranostics for future clinic translation.
Insights
Near-infrared optical imaging, including fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging, offers advanced diagnostics and real-time therapy guidance for malignant brain tumors. This review details contrast agents and nanotheranostics for multimodal imaging and treatment strategies, highlighting future clinical translation challenges and opportunities.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Imaging
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Malignant brain tumors are aggressive with poor prognoses.
- Near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging offers noninvasive, high-resolution diagnostics for CNS tumors.
- NIR imaging modalities like fluorescence imaging (FLI) and photoacoustic imaging (PAI) show promise for brain tumor detection and therapy guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review state-of-the-art NIR contrast agents (CAs) for brain tumor imaging.
- To summarize recent advancements in NIR optical imaging-guided therapies.
- To discuss the clinical translation potential of CAs and nanotheranostics for brain tumors.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of NIR contrast agents for single, dual, and triple-modal brain tumor imaging (FLI, PAI, MRI, CT).
- Analysis of recent progress in NIR optical imaging-guided therapies, including photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), chemotherapy, and gene therapy.
- Discussion of challenges and opportunities for nanotheranostics in clinical translation.
Main Results:
- NIR CAs are effective for single-modal (FLI, PAI), dual-modal (FLI/PAI, FLI/MRI, PAI/MRI), and triple-modal (MRI/FLI/PAI, MRI/PAI/CT) brain tumor imaging.
- NIR optical imaging guides diverse therapies including PTT, PDT, chemotherapy, gene therapy, and combinations thereof.
- Nanotheranostics show potential for integrated diagnosis and therapy.
Conclusions:
- NIR optical imaging modalities and advanced contrast agents are revolutionizing brain tumor diagnosis and therapy.
- Multimodal imaging and combination therapies guided by NIR optical techniques offer improved accuracy and efficiency.
- Further research into nanotheranostics is crucial for overcoming clinical translation barriers in brain tumor treatment.
