Phototheranostic nanoplatform based on a single cyanine dye for image-guided combinatorial phototherapy

We have constructed a phototheranostic nanoplatform based on the near-infrared heptamethine cyanine dye, IR775, capable of concurrent real-time fluorescence imaging and cancer eradication with combinatorial phototherapy. Phototheranostic properties of IR775-based nanoplatform were evaluated in vitro and in vivo in comparison with the other heptamethine cyanine dye agents. The animal studies revealed that the IR775-based nanoplatform accumulates in cancer tumors after systemic administration, efficiently delineating them with NIR fluorescence signal and completely eradicates chemo resistant cancer tissue after a single dose of combinatorial phototherapy.73