Radionuclide-based Cerenkov luminescence in biomedicine: Current research progress and future perspectives

Radionuclide-based Cerenkov luminescence (CL) has gained significant attention in the field of biomedicine, leading to the development of novel strategies for tumor imaging and treatment. CL can be directly captured by a charge-coupled device camera, enabling non-invasive imaging, and it can also be utilized for near-infrared wavelength imaging through Cerenkov radiation energy transfer. Moreover, CL-based photodynamic therapy and immunotherapy hold promise as innovative approaches for tumor treatment. This comprehensive review provides an overview of the current research progress in CL imaging and therapy, aiming to lay the groundwork for the future expansion of CL applications in biomedical research.