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Recent Progress on Tumor Microenvironment-Activated NIR-II Phototheranostic Agents with Simultaneous Activation for
Hao Xiao1,2, Gui-Long Wu1,2, Senyou Tan1,2
1Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, 28, West Changsheng Road, Hengyang City, Hunan Province, 421001, China.
Abstract:
Malignant tumors seriously threaten human life and well-being. Emerging Near-infrared II (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) phototheranostic nanotechnology integrates diagnostic and treatment modalities, offering merits including improved tissue penetration and enhanced spatiotemporal resolution. This remarkable progress has opened promising avenues for advancing tumor theranostic research. The tumor microenvironment (TME) differs from normal tissues, exhibiting distinct attributes such as hypoxia, acidosis, overexpressed hydrogen peroxide, excess glutathione, and other factors. Capitalizing on these attributes, researchers have developed TME-activatable NIR-II phototheranostic agents with diagnostic and therapeutic attributes concurrently. Therefore, developing TME-activatable NIR-II phototheranostic agents with diagnostic and therapeutic activation holds significant research importance. Currently, research on TME-activatable NIR-II phototheranostic agents is still in its preliminary stages. This review examines the recent advances in developing dual-functional NIR-II activatable phototheranostic agents over the past years. It systematically presents NIR-II phototheranostic agents activated by various TME factors such as acidity (pH), hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ), glutathione (GSH), hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), enzymes, and their hybrid. This encompasses NIR-II fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging diagnostics, along with therapeutic modalities, including photothermal, photodynamic, chemodynamic, and gas therapies triggered by these TME factors. Lastly, the difficulties and opportunities confronting NIR-II activatable phototheranostic agents in the simultaneous diagnosis and treatment field are highlighted.
Insights
Researchers are developing advanced Near-infrared II (NIR-II) phototheranostic agents activated by the tumor microenvironment (TME). These agents offer simultaneous diagnosis and treatment for improved cancer theranostics.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Malignant tumors pose significant threats to human health.
- Near-infrared II (NIR-II) phototheranostic nanotechnology offers improved diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities.
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) presents unique characteristics exploitable for targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in TME-activatable NIR-II phototheranostic agents.
- To explore agents activated by specific TME factors like pH, H2O2, and GSH.
- To highlight the integration of diagnostic imaging and therapeutic modalities.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature on NIR-II phototheranostic agents.
- Analysis of agents activated by TME-specific stimuli (acidity, H2O2, GSH, H2S, enzymes).
- Examination of diagnostic (fluorescence, photoacoustic imaging) and therapeutic (photothermal, photodynamic, chemodynamic, gas therapies) applications.
Main Results:
- Development of dual-functional NIR-II agents activated by TME factors.
- Successful integration of advanced imaging and therapeutic strategies.
- Demonstration of targeted diagnosis and treatment capabilities.
Conclusions:
- TME-activatable NIR-II phototheranostic agents show significant promise for cancer theranostics.
- Further research is needed to overcome current challenges and optimize clinical translation.
- This field holds potential for simultaneous tumor diagnosis and treatment.
