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Updated: Jun 14, 2025
A Bright NIR-II Fluorescence Probe for Vascular and Tumor Imaging
Published on: March 17, 2023
Photodynamic therapy with NIR-II probes: review on state-of-the-art tools and strategies
Yiqian Yang1, Shaohua Jiang2, Stefan G Stanciu3
1Laboratory of Advanced Theranostic Materials and Technology, Ningbo Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging Probe Materials and Technology, Zhejiang International Cooperation Base of Biomedical Materials Technology and Application, Ningbo Cixi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China. penghao@nimte.ac.cn.
Abstract:
In 2022 10% of the world's population was aged 65+, and by 2100 this segment is expected to hit 25%. These demographic changes place considerable pressure over healthcare systems worldwide, which results in an urgent need for accurate, inexpensive and non-invasive ways to treat cancers, a family of diseases correlated with age. Among the therapeutic tools that gained important attention in this context, photodynamic therapies (PDT), which use photosensitizers to produce cytotoxic substances for selectively destroying tumor cells and tissues under light irradiation, profile as important players for next-generation nanomedicine. However, the development of clinical applications is progressing at slow pace, due to still pending bottlenecks, such as the limited tissue penetration of the excitation light, and insufficient targeting performance of the therapeutic probes to fully avoid damage to normal cells and tissues. The penetration depth of long-wavelength near infrared (NIR) light is significantly higher than that of short-wavelength UV and visible light, and thus NIR light in the second window (NIR-II) is acknowledged as the preferred phototherapeutic means for eliminating deep-seated tumors, given the higher maximum permissible exposure, reduced phototoxicity and low autofluorescence, among others. Upon collective multidisciplinary efforts of experts in materials science, medicine and biology, multifunctional NIR-II inorganic or organic photosensitizers have been widely developed. This review overviews the current state-of-the art on NIR-II-activated photosensitizers and their applications for the treatment of deep tumors. We also place focus on recent efforts that combine NIR-II activated PDT with other complementary therapeutic routes such as photothermal therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, starvation, and gas therapies. Finally, we discuss still pending challenges and problems of PDT and provide a series of perspectives that we find useful for further extending the state-of-the art on NIR-II-triggered PDT.
Insights
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using near-infrared II (NIR-II) light shows promise for treating deep tumors. This review explores advanced NIR-II photosensitizers and combination therapies to overcome current treatment challenges.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanomedicine
- Oncology
Background:
- Aging populations worldwide are increasing the demand for effective cancer treatments.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers a promising non-invasive approach using photosensitizers and light to destroy tumor cells.
- Current PDT faces limitations in light penetration and precise tumor targeting, hindering clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the state-of-the-art in near-infrared II (NIR-II) activated photosensitizers for deep tumor treatment.
- To highlight advancements in multifunctional NIR-II photosensitizers developed through multidisciplinary collaboration.
- To discuss the integration of NIR-II PDT with other therapeutic modalities.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on NIR-II activated photosensitizers.
- Analysis of applications in treating deep-seated tumors.
- Examination of combined therapeutic strategies with NIR-II PDT.
Main Results:
- NIR-II light offers superior penetration depth and reduced phototoxicity for treating deep tumors.
- Development of multifunctional inorganic and organic NIR-II photosensitizers has advanced significantly.
- Combination therapies (e.g., with photothermal, chemo, immunotherapy) show enhanced efficacy.
Conclusions:
- NIR-II activated PDT is a rapidly advancing field with significant potential for treating deep tumors.
- Overcoming challenges in targeting and light penetration is crucial for clinical translation.
- Future research should focus on synergistic combination therapies and improved photosensitizer design.
