In Vivo Repeatedly Activated Persistent Luminescence Nanoparticles by Radiopharmaceuticals for Long‐Lasting Tumor Optical Imaging

Abstract

Persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) with rechargeable near‐infrared afterglow properties attract much attention for tumor diagnosis in living animals since they can avoid tissue autofluorescence and greatly improve the signal‐to‐background ratio. Using UV, visible light, or X‐ray as excitation sources to power up persistent luminescence (PL) faces the challenges such as limited tissue penetration, inefficient charging capability, or tissue damage caused by irradiation. Here, it is proved that radiopharmaceuticals can efficiently excite ZnGa2O4:Cr3+ nanoparticles (ZGCs) for both fluorescence and afterglow luminescence via Cerenkov resonance energy transfer as well as ionizing radiation. 18F‐FDG, a clinically approved tumor‐imaging radiopharmaceutical with a short decay half‐life around 110 min, is successfully used as the internal light source to in vivo excite intravenously injected ZGCs for tumor luminescence imaging over 3 h. The luminescence with similar decay time can be re‐obtained for multiple times upon injection of 18F‐FDG at any time needed with no health concern. It is believed this strategy can not only provide tumor luminescence imaging with high sensitivity, high contrast, and long decay time at desired time, but also guarantee the patients much less radiation exposure, greatly benefiting image‐guided surgery in the future.

Radioiodinated Persistent Luminescence Nanoplatform for Radiation‐Induced Photodynamic Therapy and Radiotherapy

“…[ 10 ] We have proved previously that ZGCs could be efficiently excited by radiopharmaceuticals for long‐lasting luminescence imaging via both CL and ionizing radiation. [ 11 ] Here, we used the luminescence of ZGCs excited by 131 I to continuous activate photosensitizer ZnPcC4 for PDT. 131 I is a clinical used radioisotope with both diagnosis and therapy function.…”

Persistent luminescence nanoparticles for cancer theranostics application

“…So far, the mechanism for radiopharmaceuticals is still unclear. However, most of radiopharmaceuticals can emit gamma radiation and Cerenkov luminescence during the decay of radionuclides[ 28 , 29 ], where gamma ray is similar to X-ray but come from different parts of the atom [ 30 ], and Cerenkov luminescence have the emission in the range of 250–600 nm [ 29 ], thus we speculate that the mechanism of radiopharmaceuticals-excited PersL includes the PersL mechanisms of X-ray, UV light, and LED light.

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Surface Modified Persistent Luminescence Probes for Biosensing and Bioimaging: A Review

“…proposed a strategy that 18 F‐fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F‐FDG), a tumor‐imaging radiopharmaceutical, was used to in vivo excite ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr 3+ PLNPs. [ 80 ] Therefore, the renewable luminescence for tumor imaging can be obtained for several times upon injection of 18 F‐FDG (Figure 10B).…”

“…Reprinted with permission. [ 80 ] (C) In vivo PL images (up) and T1‐weighted MR images (bottom) of tumor bearing mice after intravenous injection of HA‐Gd 2 O 3 ‐PLNPs. Reprinted with permission.…”