Advanced NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging Technology for In Vivo Precision Tumor Theranostics

As a cutting-edge imaging technology, fluorescence imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window has attracted tremendous attention. Compared to the classical fluorescence imaging in the visible (400-650 nm) and NIR-I (650-950 nm) window, the NIR-II fluorescence imaging greatly improves photon penetration in living bodies with high fidelity due to its minimized tissue absorption, scattering, and autofluorescence. It is considered to be the next-generation intravital fluorescence imaging technique which has great potential for biomedical research and clinical practice. Herein, the progress of NIR-II fluorescence imaging in tumor theranostics is summarized. The recent advances in tumor diagnosis and therapeutic evaluation using this novel imaging technique are highlighted, and its current challenges and future perspectives are discussed.