Institute of Molecular Sciences and Engineering, Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China.
Institute of Molecular Sciences and Engineering, Institute of Frontier and Interdisciplinary Science, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China.
Acta Biomater. 2022 Sep 1;149:16-29. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.07.004. Epub 2022 Jul 8.
Photothermal therapy (PTT) has attracted great attention due to its noninvasive and low side effects. Photothermal agents (PTAs) which could convert absorbing light into heat play a critical role in PTT. For conventional small organic PTAs, the photothermal conversion ability is mainly achieved by intermolecular noncovalent interactions such as π-π interactions. However, in terms of organic fluorophores with rotator or vibrator segments, the balance between fluorescence emission and heat generation is mainly regulated by intramolecular motions which could be mediated by molecular engineering. Following this designing principle, various fluorophores with intramolecular motions for effective PTT have been reported. In this review, we highlight the recent progress of PTAs based on small organic fluorophores with intramolecular motions for enhanced PTT. Designing tactics of these fluorophores to afford long-wavelength absorption, high photothermal conversion ability, and effective accumulation capability are emphasized. Finally, one-for-all phototheranostics achieved by mediating intramolecular motions of these fluorophores are highlighted. We hope this review could pave a new avenue to developing fluorophores with intramolecular motion as PTAs to advance their clinical transition. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Recent progress of photothermal agents (PTAs) based on small organic fluorophores with intramolecular motion is summarized in this review. Molecular engineering of these small organic fluorophores to afford long-wavelength absorption, high photothermal conversion ability, and effective accumulation at tumor sites for enhanced photothermal therapy (PTT) is highlighted. Strategies to tune the intramolecular motions of these fluorophores to achieve multimodal phototherapy are emphasized as well.
光热疗法（PTT）由于其非侵入性和低副作用而受到极大关注。光热剂（PTAs）可以将吸收的光转化为热，在 PTT 中起着关键作用。对于传统的小分子有机 PTA，光热转换能力主要通过分子间非共价相互作用（如π-π相互作用）来实现。然而，对于具有旋转或振动片段的有机荧光团，荧光发射和热产生之间的平衡主要由分子内运动来调节，这些运动可以通过分子工程来介导。基于此设计原理，已经报道了各种具有分子内运动的荧光团用于有效的 PTT。在这篇综述中，我们重点介绍了基于具有分子内运动的小分子有机荧光团的 PTA 的最新进展，用于增强 PTT。强调了这些荧光团设计策略，以提供长波长吸收、高光热转换能力和有效的肿瘤部位积累能力。最后，强调了通过调节这些荧光团的分子内运动来实现多功能光热治疗的“一石多鸟”策略。我们希望这篇综述能够为开发具有分子内运动的荧光团作为 PTA 开辟新途径，推进其临床转化。
