Biao Dong

NIR-activated dual-mode oxygen-generating and -delivering nanoplatform for enhanced photodynamic therapy of cervical cancer

NIR-activated IFHFC nanoparticles enable NIR-I/NIR-II imaging and dual oxygenation (CAT-catalyzed O 2 generation and PFH O 2 release), relieving hypoxia and boosting ROS for enhanced PDT.

Phototheranostic LPP‐QDs‐IR‐820 Nanocomposites for Specific NIR‐II Imaging of Lymphatic and Photothermal Therapy of Cervical Tumors

AbstractPrecise theranostics of tumors is intricately linked to the early detection and monitoring of lymph nodes (LN) and metastases, making the targeted localization of LNs essential for tumor identification. However, designing LN‐targeting probes remains a significant challenge due to issues such as lymphatic uptake, biocompatibility, and fluorescence stability. To address these challenges, near‐infrared II (NIR‐II) fluorescence probes are developed through meticulous analysis of LN physiological structure and passive targeting strategy for LN detection and tumor therapy. An LPP‐QDs‐IR‐820 nanocomposite (NCs) is engineered, comprising the IR‐820 molecules and ultrabright PbS@CdS quantum dots (QDs), which are encapsulated within a liposome‐SH‐mPEG2000 polymer matrix. These NCs demonstrates remarkable lymphatic enrichment, facilitating real‐time tracking of LN via electrostatic repulsion and extracellular matrix effects. Importantly, the NCs exhibit negligible in vivo toxicity and high biocompatibility. The intense NIR‐II fluorescence emissions of IR‐820 and PbS@CdS QDs confer upon the NCs a high NIR‐II fluorescence quantum yield (6%). The cervical tumors and their deep microvessels are clearly observed via NIR‐II fluorescence imaging. Moreover, the photothermal properties of IR‐820 enable the NCs to achieve a photothermal conversion efficiency of 36.56%, leading to effective photothermal therapy in cervical tumor mice.

Ultrabright NIR-IIb Fluorescence Quantum Dots for Targeted Imaging-Guided Surgery

Pioneering approaches for precise tumor removal involve fluorescence-guided surgery, while challenges persist, including the low fluorescence contrast observed at tumor boundaries and the potential for excessive damage to normal tissue at the edges. Lead/cadmium sulfide quantum dots (PbS@CdS QDs), boasting high quantum yields (QYs) and vivid fluorescence, have facilitated advancements in the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 900-1700 nm). However, during fluorescent surgical navigation operations, hydrophilic coatings of these inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) guarantee biosafety; it also comes at the expense of losing a significant portion of QY and NIR-II fluorescence, causing heightened damage to normal tissues caused by cutting edges. Herein, we present hydrophilic core-shell PbS@CdS@PEG NPs with an exceptionally small diameter (∼8 nm) and a brilliant NIR-IIb (1500-1700 nm) emission at approximately 1600 nm. The mPEG-SH (MW: 2000) addresses the hydrophobicity and enhances the biosafety of PbS@CdS QDs.