TBP-EQ

TBP-EQ is a cationic aggregation-induced emission photosensitizer and luminogen that enables bright red aggregation-state fluorescence imaging. TBP-EQ generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) via Type I/II pathways under light irradiation. TBP-EQ undergoes light-triggered translocation from the plasma membrane to mitochondria, enhancing penetration and mitochondrial enrichment, and induces oxidative plasma membrane damage, increased permeability, as well as mitochondrial oxidative stress, dysfunction, and depolarization. TBP-EQ exhibits photodynamic cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells, and intratumoral injection followed by light activation inhibits tumor growth. TBP-EQ preferentially accumulates in breast cancer cells and prolongs tumor retention while reducing off-target fluorescence. TBP-EQ can be used for breast cancer-related research^[1].