Progression in Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging Technology for Lung Cancer Management

Abstract

Lung cancer is a major threat to human health and a leading cause of death. Accurate localization of tumors in vivo is crucial for subsequent treatment. In recent years, fluorescent imaging technology has become a focal point in tumor diagnosis and treatment due to its high sensitivity, strong selectivity, non-invasiveness, and multifunctionality. Molecular probes-based fluorescent imaging not only enables real-time in vivo imaging through fluorescence signals but also integrates therapeutic functions, drug screening, and efficacy monitoring to facilitate comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. Among them, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging is particularly prominent due to its improved in vivo imaging effect. This trend toward multifunctionality is a significant aspect of the future advancement of fluorescent imaging technology. In the past years, great progress has been made in the field of NIR fluorescence imaging for lung cancer management, as well as the emergence of new problems and challenges. This paper generally summarizes the application of NIR fluorescence imaging technology in these areas in the past five years, including the design, detection principles, and clinical applications, with the aim of advancing more efficient NIR fluorescence imaging technologies to enhance the accuracy of tumor diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: diagnosis; in vivo imaging; lung cancer; near-infrared fluorescence; treatment.

Figure 9

(a) The construction process and principle of the NIR fluorescence probe by Shao’s team, reproduced from [63] with permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2019; (b) LFIA platform construction diagram of Li’s team, reproduced from [65] with permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2022; (c) Schematic of the construction process of anti-NSE/CQDs/Ag@MXene@MCMs (the construction process of anti-CEA/QDs/Ag@MXene@MCMs is similar), reproduced from [66] with permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2024. In subfigure (b), a: Principle of using NFC-LFIA test strips to detect multi-indicator lung cancer biomarkers. b: Portable NIR-II fluorescence scanner supporting NFC-LFIA test strips. c: Representative scanning curves of fluorescence signals on the test line and control line of the LFIA test strip.

Scheme 1

Current application direction of NIR imaging technology in lung cancer management.

Figure 1

Common design strategies and components of NIR fluorescent probes.

Figure 2

The construction process and application diagram of GNS@BSA/I-MMP2. Reproduced from [30] with permission from the Royal Society of Chemistry, Copyright 2019.

Figure 3

(a) Structure of F-1; (b) Structure of DMC-βgal; (c) Structure of HA-apn, and the effect of enzymes on their fluorescence activities. NE: neutrophil elastase; β-gal: β-galactosidase; APN: aminopeptidase N.

Figure 4

Structure of ENBO-ML210 and the influence of GPX4 on the fluorescence activation process and the in vivo imaging effect in NSCLC tumor model mice. Reproduced from [43] with permission from the Royal Society of Chemistry, Copyright 2023.

Figure 5

(a) OPA and ASM form IR-ASM in EDCI; (b) Structure of LET-10 and the fluorescence activation process under the influence of hNQO1, reproduced from [45] with permission from American Chemical Society, Copyright 2022; (c) Structure of HCy-Q and the fluorescence activation process under the influence of NQO1 in the presence of NADH. EDCI: 1-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride; hNQO1: human quinone NADH dehydrogenase 1; PA: photoacoustic; DSPE-mPEG2000: a liposome material composed of amphiphilic phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE) and hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG2000) was used as a coating material to wrap around the LET-10 probe to form nanoparticles.

Figure 6

(a) Structure of HD-F and the fluorescence activation process influenced by furin; (b) Structure of TTPI and schematic of IMC and AIE-PS release process influenced by esterase; (c) Structure of IR-ABS and the schematic of the fluorescence activation process after the active targeting of tumor cells mediated by CAIX under the combined action of NTR and NADH. NTR: nitroreductase.

Figure 7

(a) Structure of IR-780-Crizotinib; (b) Structure of TPG; (c) Structure of TBG; (d) Structure of G-SS-NIR. Blue: chemotherapy drugs; Green: targeting ligand; Purple: linker; Red: NIR fluorophores.

Figure 8

(a) Structure of CY3-AFTN and Cy5-AFTN; (b) Structure of LX.

Figure 10

(a) Schematic of pH-AAP imaging results in different tumor mouse models, reproduced from [71] with permission from American Chemical Society, Copyright 2019; (b) Construction process and mechanism of CE7Q/CQ/S, reproduced from [72] with permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2020; (c) The construction process of PMT and the advantages of the mechanism, reproduced from [73] with permission from John Wiley and Sons, Copyright 2023.

Figure 11

(a) Structure of BDHT; (b) Structure of BFZ.

Figure 12

(a) Schematic of the distribution of rova-IR700 in the body and its metabolic time after intravenous administration, reproduced from [76] with permission from Elsevier, Copyright 2020; (b) Structure of Cy-Lyso; (c) Structure of IR-34; (d) Structure of DCM-Br-ONOO.

Figure 13

(a) The construction process and functional principle of BMU-Ru, reproduced from [85] with permission from John Wiley and Sons, Copyright 2020; (b) Structure of HBTPB; (c) Structure of BP₅-NB-OB; (d) Structure of HBQ-L; (e) Structure of Cy-OAcr; (f) Structure of Probe 36 (gene vector with AIE characteristics).