Near-infrared (NIR) Fluorophores in Cancer Bioimaging and Therapy

The development of multiple fluorescent agents has contributed to cancer diagnosis and therapy. Near-infrared (NIR) dyes have already been well studied and displayed significant potential in cancer bioimaging and therapy due to their unique characteristics. In the present literature, we illustrated the updated NIR classification and characteristics as well as their applications in (pre-) clinical cancer imaging and treatment. The NIR-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) were also discussed, including their present limitations. Taken together, the future development of NIR fluorophores would greatly improve cancer precision diagnosis and targeted therapy as one of the promising approaches in this field.