Wang Minghui, Bai Shuaige, Zhang Yan
National Engineering Research Centre for Nanomedicine, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China.
Chem Soc Rev. 2025 Aug 11;54(16):7561-7609. doi: 10.1039/d5cs00502g.
Optical imaging in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) enables real-time visualization of deep tissues with a higher signal-to-noise ratio than that enabled by visible and first NIR (NIR-I, 700-1000 nm) imaging owing to reduced tissue scattering and lower tissue autofluorescence. Its imaging capability can be further enhanced by integrating other imaging modalities, providing complementary biological information in living subjects. In parallel, activatable molecular probes have been designed to change signals only in the presence of biomarkers of interest, offering higher detection sensitivity and specificity than traditional "always-on" probes. These probes can also act as delivery vehicles for therapeutics, providing opportunities for precise imaging-guided therapy. This review highlights the recent advances in the development of single- and multi-modal molecular probes with NIR-II activatable optical signals for disease detection and theranostics. We begin by introducing the probe's design strategies, focusing on molecular mechanisms that enable activatable NIR-II optical signal output and biomarker specificity. Next, strategies to optimize the probe's performance in terms of improving its optical properties and overcoming biological barriers are discussed. Subsequently, the diagnostic and theranostic applications of these probes are detailed with representative examples across various disease models and tissue biopsy. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future perspectives for improving their diagnostic accuracy and precision theranostic capabilities in this emerging field.
在第二近红外窗口（NIR-II，1000 - 1700 nm）进行光学成像能够实时可视化深层组织，由于组织散射减少和组织自发荧光较低，其信噪比高于可见光和第一近红外（NIR-I，700 - 1000 nm）成像。通过整合其他成像模态可以进一步增强其成像能力，在活体中提供互补的生物学信息。同时，可激活分子探针被设计成仅在存在感兴趣的生物标志物时改变信号，比传统的“始终开启”探针具有更高的检测灵敏度和特异性。这些探针还可以作为治疗药物的递送载体，为精确的成像引导治疗提供机会。本综述重点介绍了用于疾病检测和诊疗的具有NIR-II可激活光学信号的单模态和多模态分子探针开发的最新进展。我们首先介绍探针的设计策略，重点关注能够实现可激活NIR-II光学信号输出和生物标志物特异性的分子机制。接下来，讨论在改善光学性质和克服生物屏障方面优化探针性能的策略。随后，通过各种疾病模型和组织活检中的代表性实例详细介绍了这些探针的诊断和诊疗应用。最后，我们讨论了在这个新兴领域提高其诊断准确性和精确诊疗能力所面临的挑战和未来前景。
