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Nanomaterials for light-mediated therapeutics in deep tissue
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore. e0974156@u.nus.edu.
Abstract:
Light-mediated therapeutics, including photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy and light-triggered drug delivery, have been widely studied due to their high specificity and effective therapy. However, conventional light-mediated therapies usually depend on the activation of light-sensitive molecules with UV or visible light, which have poor penetration in biological tissues. Over the past decade, efforts have been made to engineer nanosystems that can generate luminescence through excitation with near-infrared (NIR) light, ultrasound or X-ray. Certain nanosystems can even carry out light-mediated therapy through chemiluminescence, eliminating the need for external activation. Compared to UV or visible light, these 4 excitation modes penetrate more deeply into biological tissues, triggering light-mediated therapy in deeper tissues. In this review, we systematically report the design and mechanisms of different luminescent nanosystems excited by the 4 excitation sources, methods to enhance the generated luminescence, and recent applications of such nanosystems in deep tissue light-mediated therapeutics.
Insights
New nanosystems enable deep tissue light-mediated therapies using near-infrared light, ultrasound, or X-rays. These advanced approaches overcome the limitations of UV and visible light, improving therapeutic efficacy in deeper tissues.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Photomedicine
Background:
- Light-mediated therapies offer high specificity but are limited by poor tissue penetration of UV/visible light.
- Nanosystems are being engineered to overcome these limitations by utilizing alternative excitation sources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the design and mechanisms of luminescent nanosystems activated by near-infrared (NIR) light, ultrasound, or X-ray.
- To explore methods for enhancing luminescence from these nanosystems.
- To highlight recent applications in deep tissue light-mediated therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature on luminescent nanosystems.
- Analysis of excitation mechanisms (NIR, ultrasound, X-ray, chemiluminescence).
- Evaluation of luminescence enhancement strategies and deep tissue therapeutic applications.
Main Results:
- Nanosystems can generate luminescence via NIR, ultrasound, X-ray, or chemiluminescence, enabling deeper tissue penetration.
- Various strategies exist to enhance the luminescence output of these nanosystems.
- These advanced systems show promise for effective deep tissue light-mediated therapies.
Conclusions:
- Alternative excitation sources and luminescent nanosystems significantly advance deep tissue light-mediated therapeutics.
- Further development in nanosystem design and luminescence enhancement is crucial for clinical translation.
- These technologies hold potential for treating deeper localized diseases with improved specificity.
