New Xanthene Dyes with NIR‐II Emission Beyond 1200 nm for Efficient Tumor Angiography and Photothermal Therapy
Abstract
Fluorescence (FL) bioimaging in the second near‐infrared window (NIR‐II, 1000–1700 nm) provides improved imaging quality and high resolution for diagnosis of deep‐seated tumors. However, integrating FL bioimaging and photothermal therapy (PTT) in a single photoactive molecule exhibits a great challenge because a dramatic increase of PTT in the NIR‐II window benefitting from the nonradiative decay will sacrifice the fluorescence brightness that is unfavorable for FL bioimaging. Therefore, balancing the radiative decay and nonradiative decay is an effective and rational design strategy. Herein, four NIR‐II xanthene dyes (CL1–CL4) are synthesized with maximal emission beyond 1200 nm under 1064 nm excitation. CL4 exhibits the largest fluorescence quantum yield and a significant fluorescence enhancement after complexation with fetal bovine serum (FBS). As‐prepared CL4/FBS has a maximal emission of 1235 nm and a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 36% under 1064 nm excitation. Bright and refined tumor vessels with a fine resolution of 0.23 mm can be clearly distinguished by CL4/FBS. In vivo studies show that a balanced utilization of fluorescence and photothermy in the NIR‐II window is successfully achieved with superior biocompatibility. This efficient strategy provides promising avenue for precise theranostics of deep tumors.
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The CL4/FBS system demonstrated capability for NIR-II fluorescence imaging of tumor vasculature, achieving a resolution of 0.23 mm.
“Furthermore, this system demonstrated exceptional capability for NIR-II fluorescence imaging of tumor vasculature, achieving a resolution of 0.23 mm.”
From Organic small-molecule NIR-II fluorophores for tumor phototheranostics (2026) · cites this paper as [238]
Following intravenous injection, the CL4/FBS complex attained peak tumor accumulation at 32 h, demonstrating significantly superior tumor enrichment efficacy relative to free CL4.
“Following intravenous injection, the complex attained peak tumor accumulation at 32 h, demonstrating significantly superior tumor enrichment efficacy relative to free CL4.”
From Organic small-molecule NIR-II fluorophores for tumor phototheranostics (2026) · cites this paper as [238]
Compared to CL4 alone, the CL4/FBS complex showed significantly reduced cytotoxicity, indicating improved biocompatibility.
“Compared to CL4 alone, the complex showed significantly reduced cytotoxicity, indicating improved biocompatibility.”
From Organic small-molecule NIR-II fluorophores for tumor phototheranostics (2026) · cites this paper as [238]
Upon irradiation with a 1064 nm laser, the CL4/FBS complex elevated the tumor temperature to 53 °C within 10 min, effectively suppressing 4T1 tumor growth through PTT.
“Upon irradiation with 1064 nm laser, CL4/FBS complex elevated the tumor temperature to 53 °C within 10 min, effectively suppressing 4T1 tumor growth through PTT.”
From Organic small-molecule NIR-II fluorophores for tumor phototheranostics (2026) · cites this paper as [238]
In aqueous solution, the CL4/FBS complex displayed a blue-shifted maximum emission at 1235 nm, alongside a 3.6-fold fluorescence intensity enhancement and a PCE of 36%.
“In aqueous solution, the CL4/FBS complex displayed a blue-shifted maximum emission at 1235 nm, alongside a 3.6-fold fluorescence intensity enhancement and a PCE of 36%.”
From Organic small-molecule NIR-II fluorophores for tumor phototheranostics (2026) · cites this paper as [238]
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“24a) 238 .”
- Authors
- Zhang, C., Wu, J., Liu, W., Zhang, W., Lee, C., & Wang, P.
- Affiliations
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- City University of Hong Kong (HK)
- Corresponding author
- Wu, Jiasheng
- Wang, Pengfei
- Venue
- Small
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2022-06-22
- Volume
- 18
- Issue
- 29
- Pages
- e2202078-e2202078
- ISSN
- 1613-6810 (ISSN-L)
- 1613-6829
- OpenAlex
- W4283318757
- Cited by
- 39
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 3
- FWCI
- 2.61
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Small (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (21873110, 61720106014)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Biomedical Engineering › Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy Techniques
- Keywords
- xanthene dyes, NIR-II fluorescence, second near-infrared window, photothermal therapy, tumor angiography, fluorescence enhancement, fluorescence quantum yield, photothermal conversion efficiency, theranostics
- MeSH terms
- Theranostic Nanomedicine, Photothermal Therapy, Angiography, Coloring Agents, Fluorescent Dyes, Humans, Neoplasms, Phototherapy, Xanthenes, Nanoparticles
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