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Updated: Apr 25, 2026
Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy for Mouse Models of Pleural Dissemination
Published on: February 9, 2021
Efficient Strategy for Diagnosis-Treatment-Monitoring Integrated Photodynamic Therapy by a Near-Infrared
Lingling Xu1, Yanzhe Zhu2, Yao Wang1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering & Institutes of Physical Science and Information Technology, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials & Key Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials of Ministry of Education, Anhui University, Hefei 230601, P. R. China.
Abstract:
In recent years, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional cancer treatment methods owing to its spatiotemporal controllability and minimal systemic toxicity. However, their clinical application is hindered by poor tumor specificity of conventional photosensitizers (PSs). Herein, we developed a novel near-infrared multifunctional fluorescent probe (CMN), which was expected to enable "diagnosis-treatment-monitoring" integrated PDT. Probe CMN was capable of targeting cell membranes, as well as the capability of tumor specificity and differentiating normal cells from cancer cells through viscosity response, which enabled its use in tumor diagnosis and real-time monitoring of the treatment process. Meanwhile, upon white light irradiation, CMN with the PDT function can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), effectively inducing tumor cell death. Importantly, real-time visualization of cell membrane damage was achieved using CMN via dynamic fluorescence imaging, providing direct observation for therapeutic effects during PDT. In vivo studies further confirmed that CMN can perform tumor-specific imaging on tumor-bearing mouse models, and its PDT efficacy in mice can be monitored via in situ tumor visualization. In summary, this "diagnosis-treatment-monitoring" integrated photosensitive probe CMN not only enhanced the precision of PDT but also realized the real-time visualization of PDT, possessing significant potential for cancer therapy.
Insights
A new probe, CMN, enables integrated cancer diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring via photodynamic therapy (PDT). This multifunctional fluorescent probe enhances PDT precision and allows real-time visualization of therapeutic effects.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers controllable cancer treatment with low toxicity.
- Clinical PDT is limited by poor tumor specificity of conventional photosensitizers (PSs).
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel near-infrared multifunctional fluorescent probe (CMN) for integrated cancer diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring.
- To overcome the limitations of conventional PSs by enhancing tumor specificity and enabling real-time treatment visualization.
Main Methods:
- Development of a multifunctional fluorescent probe (CMN) targeting cell membranes.
- Utilizing viscosity response for tumor specificity and differentiation of normal from cancer cells.
- Employing white light irradiation to activate CMN for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and tumor cell death.
- Real-time fluorescence imaging to visualize cell membrane damage and monitor therapeutic effects.
Main Results:
- CMN demonstrated tumor-specific imaging in mouse models.
- The probe enabled real-time visualization of PDT efficacy through in situ tumor imaging.
- CMN successfully generated ROS upon irradiation, inducing cancer cell death.
- Dynamic fluorescence imaging confirmed real-time visualization of cell membrane damage during PDT.
Conclusions:
- The developed probe CMN integrates diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring for enhanced PDT precision.
- CMN facilitates real-time visualization of PDT, offering significant potential for improved cancer therapy.
- This multifunctional probe overcomes limitations of conventional photosensitizers, paving the way for advanced cancer treatment strategies.
