Supramolecular dye nanoassemblies for advanced diagnostics and therapies

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Photochemistry

Background:

• Dyes traditionally used for staining in medicine are also photosensitizers (PSs) with photoresponsive properties.
• Formulating dyes into nanoparticles (NPs) offers improved delivery and stability for advanced applications.
• NP formation can significantly alter the photophysical properties of dyes, impacting their efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review dye categories and their formulation into nanoparticles.
• To explore how formulation strategies affect dye photophysical properties.
• To highlight recent advances in dye-based nanoparticle applications for imaging and therapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on dye formulation into nanoparticles.
• Analysis of photophysical property alterations upon nanoparticle formation.
• Compilation of recent progress in dye-based nanoparticle applications.

Main Results:

• Dye-loaded nanoparticles show potential in photoacoustic and fluorescence imaging.
• Applications in photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and photoablation are advancing.
• Dyes are emerging as stabilizers in drug-delivery nanoparticles.

Conclusions:

• Dye-based nanoparticles offer versatile platforms for advanced biomedical imaging and therapy.
• Strategic formulation is key to optimizing dye photophysical properties for specific applications.
• Dyes are expanding roles beyond photosensitization to drug stabilization in nanomedicine.