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Updated: Aug 6, 2025
Author Spotlight: Transmitochondrial Cybrid Generation Using Cancer Cell Lines
Published on: March 17, 2023
Mitochondria Targeted AIE Probes for Cancer Phototherapy
Jaypalsing Ingle1, Sudipta Basu1
1Discipline of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat 382355, India.
Abstract:
In recent years, mitochondrion (powerhouse of the cells) gained lots of interest as one of the unorthodox targets for futuristic cancer therapy. As a result, novel small molecules were developed to damage and image mitochondria in cancer models. In this context, aggregation-induced emission probes (AIEgens) received immense attention due to their applications in mitochondria-targeted biosensing, imaging, and biomedical theranostics. On the other hand, phototherapy (photodynamic and photothermal) has emerged as a powerful alternative to manage cancer due to its less invasive nature. However, merging these two areas to engineer mitochondria-targeted phototherapeutic probes for cancer diagnosis and treatment has remained a major challenge. In this mini-review, we will outline the development of novel mitochondria-targeted small molecule AIEgens as imaging agents and photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy along with dual photodymanic-phototheramal therapy and chemo-photodynamic therapy. We will also highlight the current challenges in developing mitochondria-targeted photothermal therapy probes for future biomedical theranostic applications to manage cancer.
Insights
Researchers are developing novel small molecules called aggregation-induced emission probes (AIEgens) to target mitochondria for advanced cancer therapy and imaging. These probes offer new avenues for phototherapy and theranostics in cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Mitochondria are increasingly recognized as a key target for novel cancer therapies.
- Aggregation-induced emission probes (AIEgens) show promise for mitochondria-targeted applications.
- Phototherapy (photodynamic and photothermal) is a minimally invasive cancer treatment modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development of mitochondria-targeted small molecule AIEgens for cancer theranostics.
- To explore AIEgens as imaging agents and photosensitizers for various phototherapies.
- To discuss challenges in developing AIEgen-based photothermal therapy probes.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on mitochondria-targeted AIEgens.
- Analysis of AIEgen applications in cancer imaging and therapy.
- Discussion of combined therapeutic strategies (e.g., chemo-photodynamic therapy).
Main Results:
- Novel small molecule AIEgens are being engineered for mitochondria-targeted cancer diagnosis and treatment.
- AIEgens serve as effective imaging agents and photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy.
- Emerging strategies include dual photodynamic-photothermal and chemo-photodynamic therapies.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondria-targeted AIEgens represent a promising platform for cancer theranostics.
- Further development is needed to overcome challenges in photothermal therapy probe design.
- These probes hold potential for future biomedical applications in cancer management.
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