Non-fused ring A-D-A-type dyes for near-infrared II fluorescence imaging guided phototherapy and immune activation of tumour

  • Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2026 Sep 3:829:154158. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2026.154158.
Jing Wang  1 ,  Xintong Chen  2 ,  Yuanyu Tang  3 ,  E Pang  3 ,  Duo Xia  4 ,  Yongzhi Chen  5 ,  Dan He  6 ,  Kuansong Wang  7
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Pathology, Xiangya School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China; Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha, Hunan Province, 410005, People's Republic of China; Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Precision Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Joint and Sports Medicine Synergy of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410005, People's Republic of China; Hunan Province Sports Medicine Clinical Medicine Research Center, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410005, People's Republic of China.
  • 2. Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha, Hunan Province, 410005, People's Republic of China; Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Center for Precision Diagnosis, Treatment, and Rehabilitation of Joint and Sports Medicine Synergy of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Changsha, Hunan Province, 410005, People's Republic of China.
  • 3. College Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410083, People's Republic of China.
  • 4. Department of Orthopedics, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital (The First-affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University), Changsha, Hunan Province, 410005, People's Republic of China.
  • 5. College Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410083, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 6. College Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410083, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 7. Department of Pathology, Xiangya School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China; Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 42361740 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2026.154158
Abstract

Phototherapy has gained considerable attention in Cancer treatment. Molecules with pronounced near-infrared (NIR) absorption are particularly advantageous for laser-induced phototherapy, as their NIR absorption enables deep tissue penetration while minimizing incidental damage to healthy tissues. In this study, we rationally designed and synthesized a non-fused ring A-D-A-type dye (T8IC4F) exhibiting both NIR absorption and fluorescence properties. Through self-assembly of T8IC4F with DSPE-PEG-NH2, water-dispersible nanoparticles (NPs) designated as C4@PEG were fabricated. The resulting C4@PEG NPs exhibit NIR absorption and NIR-II fluorescence properties and demonstrate significant therapeutic efficacy. Upon 808 nm laser irradiation (1 W cm-2), these NPs exhibit a singlet oxygen (1O2) quantum yield of 25.9% and a photothermal conversion efficiency of 61%. These properties enable them to mediate both photodynamic and photothermal therapy, leading to robust antitumor efficacy. Moreover, C4@PEG NPs induce immunogenic cell death, facilitate the release of tumor antigens, and activate an antitumor immune response. These findings suggest that C4@PEG NPs could be applied in Cancer phototherapy and immunotherapy.

Keywords
Immunotherapy; Nanoparticles; Near-infrared (NIR) dyes; Phototherapy.