Rational Design of NIR-II Emitting Conjugated Polymer Derived Nanoparticles for Image-Guided Cancer Interventions.

Due to the reduced absorption, light scattering, and tissue autofluorescence in the NIR-II (1000-1700 nm) region, significant efforts are underway to explore diverse material platforms for in vivo fluorescence imaging, particularly for cancer diagnostics and image-guided interventions. Of the reported imaging agents, nanoparticles derived from conjugated polymers (CPNs) offer unique advantages to alternative materials including biocompatibility, remarkable absorption cross-sections, exceptional photostability, and tunable emission behavior independent of cell labeling functionalities. Herein we summarize the current state of NIR-II emitting CPNs and highlight structure-function-property relationships that can be used to elevate the performance of next-generation CPNs. Methods for particle processing and incorporating cancer targeting modalities are discussed, as well as detailed characterization methods to improve interlaboratory comparisons of novel materials. We then highlight contemporary methods to specifically apply CPNs for cancer diagnostics and therapies. This review not only summarizes the current state of the field, but offers future directions and provides clarity to the advantages of CPNs over other classes of imaging agents. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.