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Published on: September 19, 2014
Dual-modal imaging-guided agent based on NIR-II aggregation-induced emission luminogens with balanced
Chengjun Dong1, Ziwen Zhang2, Hongyu Wu2
1Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research Center, Institute of Fine Chemicals, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology Shanghai 200237 P. R. China zhaocchang@ecust.edu.cn.
Researchers developed novel organic nanoparticles for enhanced cancer phototherapy. These nanoparticles offer bright near-infrared II fluorescence and efficient photothermal effects for precise tumor imaging and treatment, minimizing photodamage.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Photomedicine
Background:
- Phototherapy offers a promising avenue for cancer treatment, but challenges remain in optimizing diagnostic resolution and minimizing photodamage.
- Organic materials with near-infrared II (NIR-II) fluorescence and photothermal properties are crucial for advanced tumor diagnosis and therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multifunctional NIR-II photosensitizer utilizing aggregation-induced emission (AIE) technology for improved cancer phototherapy.
- To create stable, biocompatible nanoparticles (FA-LSC NPs) with enhanced NIR-II fluorescence and photothermal conversion efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a novel NIR-II photosensitizer (LSC) incorporating a thieno[3,2-b]thiophene bridge to enhance electron push-pull effects and AIE characteristics.
- Fabrication of folic acid-conjugated LSC nanoparticles (FA-LSC NPs) via a nano-precipitation method.
- Evaluation of nanoparticle properties, including NIR-II fluorescence brightness, photothermal conversion efficiency, biocompatibility, tumor accumulation, and therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo.
Main Results:
- The developed LSC material exhibited a large Stokes shift (>400 nm) and strong AIE characteristics.
- FA-LSC NPs demonstrated high NIR-II fluorescence brightness (ε × QY = 1064 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and photothermal conversion efficiency (41%).
- FA-LSC NPs showed effective tumor accumulation and significant photothermal ablation efficacy in a HeLa tumor xenograft mouse model.
Conclusions:
- The developed FA-LSC NPs represent a promising theranostic agent for dual-mode fluorescence-photothermal imaging-guided cancer therapy.
- This AIE-based approach enhances NIR-II fluorescence and photothermal effects, paving the way for more precise and less damaging cancer treatments.
