Dual Cherenkov Radiation-Induced Near-Infrared Luminescence Imaging and Photodynamic Therapy toward Tumor Resection

Cherenkov
radiation (CR), the blue light seen in nuclear reactors,
is emitted by some radiopharmaceuticals. This study showed that (1)
a portion of CR could be transferred in the region of the optical
spectrum, where biological tissues are most transparent: as a result,
upon radiance amplification in the near-infrared window, the detection
of light could occur twice deeper in tissues than during classical
Cherenkov luminescence imaging and (2) Cherenkov-photodynamic therapy
(CR-PDT) on cells could be achieved under conditions mimicking unlimited
depth using the CR-embarked light source, which is unlike standard
PDT, where light penetration depth is limited in biological tissues.
Both results are of utmost importance for simultaneous applications
in tumor resection and post-resection treatment of remaining unresected
margins, thanks to a molecular construct designed to raise its light
collection efficiency (i.e., CR energy transfer)
by conjugation with multiple CR-absorbing (water-soluble) antenna
followed by intramolecular-FRET/TBET energy transfers.