Aggregation-induced emission probes for cancer theranostics

Conventional cancer therapy usually suffers from poor treatment efficiency and adverse effects. To improve the treatment efficiency, it is critical to precisely diagnose specific cancer types and monitor the therapy process in situ. Fluorescence imaging has the advantages of high sensitivity and easy operation, but conventional fluorophores suffer from aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), and therefore, their applications for imaging or diagnosis are severely impeded. By contrast, aggregation-induced emission (AIE) probes have significant advantages in terms of excellent photostability and a lack of self-quenching, and can be conveniently incorporated into theranostic platforms by combining them with various therapeutic modalities. Here, we discuss and summarize the recent advances in the development of AIE probes for cancer theranostics.