YunLong Yang1,2,3†
Jiang Fu1†RangPing Xie1,3†Chun Wang1,3Sen Wang1,4
Long Wen1,4Yang Yang1,4ChengKuan Liu1,5GuiYan Yi6Li Yu7*
HaiNing Zhou1,2,3,4,5*- 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan, China
- 2Medical Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, Sichuan, China
- 3Institute of Surgery, Graduate School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- 4Institute of Surgery, Graduate School, North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
- 5Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- 6College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- 7Department of Physical Examination, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan, China
Lung cancer ranks among the leading causes of cancer incidence and mortality worldwide. Conventional diagnostic and therapeutic approaches remain constrained by suboptimal sensitivity, exposure to ionizing radiation, and poor overall prognosis, driving efforts to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve clinical outcomes. Second near-infrared window (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging offers deep tissue penetration and high spatial resolution; accordingly, a wide array of NIR-II fluorescent probes, imaging systems, and photointerventional therapies have been developed. In this review, we summarize recent advances and applications of NIR-II in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment and discuss the design and future directions of integrated diagnostic-therapeutic (theranostic) platforms.
1 Introduction
Lung cancer remains among the most common malignant neoplasms worldwide. IARC GLOBOCAN 2022 estimated approximately 2.48 million new lung cancer cases (12.4% of all cancers) and 1.82 million deaths (18.7% of all cancer deaths) worldwide in 2022, placing lung cancer among the leading cancers in both incidence and mortality (Forde et al., 2022). Early detection is critical for improving outcomes. However, early-stage disease is frequently asymptomatic, lacks specific biomarkers, and is difficult to detect using conventional chest radiography and computed tomography; these imaging modalities also expose patients to ionizing radiation. Consequently, approximately 56% of patients present with distant metastases at diagnosis (Issanov et al., 2024). Despite notable advances in surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy over the past decade, the 5-year overall survival rate for lung cancer remains approximately 19% (Li M. Y. et al., 2021), highlighting an urgent need for improved strategies for early detection and intervention.
Recent advances have established near-infrared (NIR) imaging as a valuable modality in precision oncology for lung cancer, owing to its deep tissue penetration, real-time guidance capability, potential for targeted therapy, and compatibility with nanotechnology-based approaches. The NIR-I window is conventionally defined as 700–900 nm. In microsurgery, indocyanine green (ICG)-enhanced NIR-I imaging is routinely used to assess vascular anastomotic patency and flap perfusion (Li X. et al., 2020; Wu et al., 2022; Zhang Z. et al., 2022). The NIR-II window typically spans approximately 900–1880 nm (some studies report 1000–1700 nm) and provides greater tissue penetration and an improved signal-to-noise ratio, facilitating enhanced tumor delineation in preclinical glioma models and enabling non-invasive brain imaging applications (Smith et al., 2009; Welsher et al., 2009; Li C. et al., 2020; Feng et al., 2021; Wang et al., 2022). NIR-II is further subdivided into NIR-IIa (1,300–1,400 nm), NIR-IIx (1,400–1,500 nm), NIR-IIb (1,500–1700 nm), and NIR-IIc (1700–1880 nm) (Diao et al., 2015; Feng et al., 2021; Hong et al., 2014) (Figure 1). Compared with NIR-I, NIR-II exhibits markedly reduced photon scattering and tissue absorption, as well as lower tissue autofluorescence, resulting in reduced image distortion, improved spatial resolution, and increased imaging depth (Zhao et al., 2020). Consequently, NIR-II fluorescence imaging is operationally straightforward, highly sensitive, free of ionizing radiation, and well suited for real-time in vivo monitoring to support clinical diagnosis and intraoperative guidance; it is also compatible with higher maximum permissible exposure (MPE) thresholds (Huang and Pu, 2020b; Shinn et al., 2021). The first-in-human NIR-II–guided tumor resection reported by Hu et al. demonstrated clinical feasibility (Hu et al., 2020). Moreover, NIR-II phototherapy—owing to reduced scattering and the ability to tolerate higher irradiation exposure—has demonstrated enhanced efficacy against solid tumors in preclinical studies (Dai et al., 2021b).
Figure 1. The principal bio-optical advantage of the NIR-II is substantially reduced light scattering in tissue relative to visible light and the NIR-I, which enhances spatial resolution and imaging depth. However, a pronounced water-absorption band centered near 1,400–1,500 nm can attenuate signal and degrade imaging performance within that sub-band.
Deploying NIR-II for accurate lung cancer diagnosis and therapy represents a promising frontier. In this review, we emphasize recent diagnostic advances in NIR-II and emerging NIR-II–based therapeutic strategies that complement conventional treatments. We also discuss translational challenges, future prospects for clinical application, and the potential of integrated diagnostic–therapeutic platforms in improving lung cancer management.
2 Application of NIR-II in lung cancer diagnosis
2.1 High-sensitivity tumor imaging
Conventional radiologic modalities such as chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) have limited sensitivity and/or specificity for detecting early-stage lung cancer; CT also entails ionizing radiation and carries a risk of contrast-induced nephrotoxicity, and elevated false-positive rates can prompt unnecessary invasive procedures (Thanoon et al., 2023).
NIR-II offers superior spatiotemporal resolution, higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and increased tissue penetration owing to reduced tissue absorption, scattering, and autofluorescence (He et al., 2018; Huang and Pu, 2020a; Wan et al., 2019) (Table.1). NIR-II imaging can further differentiate tumors from adjacent normal tissues by sensing compositional and physiological contrasts—such as oxy-/deoxyhemoglobin, water, lipids, and blood oxygen saturation. Tumors frequently exhibit increased metabolic demand and aberrant perfusion, manifesting as altered hemoglobin distribution and hypoxia; these features are detectable in the NIR spectral region and can inform therapeutic selection and dose optimization (Choe et al., 2009; Kondepati et al., 2008; Yu et al., 2005; Zhou et al., 2007). Zhou et al. reported a cascade-activated, dual-quenching NIR-II probe (ACy-H-NTR) that sensitively detects tumor hypoxia and acidic microenvironments, thereby improving screening specificity and reducing false positives in lung cancer detection (Zhou et al., 2025). Elevated myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in tumor-associated macrophages has also been exploited for early detection using luminol-mediated chemiluminescence imaging. Leveraging the acidic tumor microenvironment (TME), Wang et al. developed ultra-pH-responsive chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET) polymeric nanoparticles for noninvasive in vivo assessment of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis. In this system, MPO-catalyzed luminol oxidation produces blue chemiluminescence; the luminol–pheophytin a (PPa) donor–acceptor pair transfers that energy via CRET to PPa, generating NIR emission and thereby enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of metastasis detection (Figure 2) (Wang et al., 2021).
Table 1. Comparison of NIR-I and NIR-II in terms of tissue penetration depth, signal-to-background ratio, and spatial resolution.
Figure 2. Schematic of a pH-amplified autoluminescent porous coordination network (PCN) incorporating a copolymer bearing a pH-responsive moiety and the fluorescent dye chlorin e6 (Ce6), enabling in vivo autoluminescence imaging for the detection of tumor metastases in sentinel lymph nodes. Copyright© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH. (a,b).
2.2 Endoscopic assisted diagnosis
Integrating NIR-II imaging with bronchoscopic platforms or with needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) enables the detection of abnormal molecular signals before overt morphological changes, thereby improving the detection of early-stage and certain intermediate-stage lung cancers (Chen et al., 2015). NIR-nCLE employs targeted NIR dyes to discriminate tumor from normal tissue at the cellular level and permits real-time identification of malignant cells during biopsy (Kennedy et al., 2022b). Kennedy et al. demonstrated that tumor specimens exhibited significantly higher mean fluorescence intensity than adjacent normal tissue (Figure 3) and that the method could detect single cancer cells at a 1:1,000 dilution. For nodules smaller than 2 cm, sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 92%, respectively, yielding an overall diagnostic accuracy of 96% (Kennedy et al., 2022a). The use of fluorescent contrast agents further enhances molecular targeting and early-detection sensitivity. Driven by increasing demands for precision and autonomy in robotic-assisted procedures, NIR imaging has been extended in endoscopic systems. Wei et al. developed a multidimensional light-field endoscope capable of acquiring trichromatic (RGB) images from two viewing angles with differing polarization states, enabling three-dimensional color reconstruction and polarization analysis, while concurrently capturing ICG NIR fluorescence without an additional “electronic staining” step. Combined with specific fluorescent probes to discriminate tumor from inflammatory tissue, this integrated approach markedly improves the accuracy and specificity of endoscopy-assisted diagnosis (Charanya et al., 2014; Wei et al., 2025).
Figure 3. A cross-sectional fluorescence intensity profile of an individual malignant cell in NIR-nCLE images demonstrates a high SBR for cancer cells, with values ranging from 2.5 to 4.2. Copyright © 2022, Gregory T. Kennedy et al.
2.3 The auxiliary application of liquid biopsy
Monitoring circulating tumor cells (CTCs) is critical for evaluating tumor progression and treatment response; however, many current capture–release techniques depend on disruptive processes that limit reusability and can compromise CTC viability (Chen et al., 2019; Vandghanooni et al., 2022). To overcome these limitations, Gao et al. developed a magnetic, fluorescent covalent organic framework (COF)–based “glowing octopus” nanomachine (GOIN) functionalized with the AS1411 aptamer for selective CTC capture, fluorescence imaging, magnetic separation, and NIR-triggered thermal release. Importantly, GOIN preserves cell proliferative capacity after release, offering a promising approach for repeatable liquid biopsy workflows (Chen et al., 2021; Gao et al., 2023; Gao et al., 2024; Li C. H. et al., 2021) (Figure 4). Despite such advances, the extremely low frequency of CTCs in early-stage cancer patients continues to pose a sensitivity bottleneck for detection (Ding et al., 2018; Dong et al., 2018; Su et al., 2019). Addressing this challenge, Xiang et al. engineered an NIR-activatable DNA nanodevice that selectively binds survivin (BIRC5) mRNA in tumor cells and locally releases antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). The device performs NIR-to-UV upconversion, using the generated UV emission to corroborate target mRNA presence, thereby enhancing liquid-biopsy detection rates and improving the sensitivity and diagnostic accuracy of gene-therapy monitoring (Miaomiao et al., 2024).
Figure 4. Schematic illustration of the structure and application of GOIN for CTC capturing, Separation, Imaging, and NIR-Triggered Release. Copyright © 2023 American chemical society.
2.4 Multimodal imaging and targeted probes
Single-modality optical imaging lacks sufficient anatomical context and quantitative information; consequently, multimodal strategies that combine NIR-II with complementary modalities such as photoacoustic (PA) imaging, CT, or MRI can integrate the strengths of each technique to enhance diagnostic performance (He et al., 2018; Li et al., 2019b; Li et al., 2021b; Wang et al., 2019; Wu M. et al., 2021). Numerous NIR-II fluorophores are inherently amenable to multimodal implementation, producing fluorescence, PA, or MR contrast from a single platform to enable synchronous imaging workflows (Cai et al., 2020; Cheng et al., 2017; Dai et al., 2017; Dong et al., 2020; Guo et al., 2019; Li et al., 2018; Li J. et al., 2019; Li et al., 2019b; Li S. et al., 2020; Li et al., 2021a; Liu et al., 2017; Okubo et al., 2021; Ren et al., 2018; Ren et al., 2020; Sun et al., 2020; Wu J. et al., 2021; Xu et al., 2019; Yang et al., 2017; Zhang Y. et al., 2020; Zhang Z. et al., 2020; Zhang X. et al., 2021; Zhao et al., 2019; Zheng et al., 2020a; Zheng et al., 2020b). For instance, Cheng et al. reported PEG-TONW NR, a probe with NIR-II absorption, CT and PA imaging capability, and high photothermal conversion efficiency for image-guided photothermal therapy (Cheng et al., 2019). Cao and co-workers synthesized V2C quantum dots that exhibit strong photothermal responses and multimodal imaging performance in the NIR-II window; exosome-mediated delivery enhanced nucleus-targeted photothermal therapy (PTT) efficacy (Figure 5) (Cao et al., 2019). Xu et al. described an aggregation-induced-emission (AIE) theranostic molecule, T-TTBMTD, featuring a donor–acceptor–donor (D–A–D) architecture that imposes a highly twisted conformation and extends NIR-II emission. T-TTBMTD–based NIR-II imaging enables tumor labeling and guides light-based therapies such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) or PTT. Joint fluorescence (FL), PA, and photothermal imaging permits identification and optimization of the therapeutic time window, thereby improving treatment outcomes (Xu D. et al., 2023).
Figure 5. Tat peptide-mediated transport delivers V2C QDs across the nuclear pore complex (NPC) into the nucleus. Imaging revealed an enhanced perinuclear signal. Subsequent NIR-II laser irradiation within the nucleus produced localized hyperthermia that directly damages nuclear DNA and other essential nuclear biomolecules.
Moreover, activatable probes that respond to overexpressed biomarkers or reactive species (e.g., H2O2) enable highly selective combined diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. To exploit tumor-elevated H2O2, Chen et al. synthesized an ER-targeted probe (TS-BOD-B) that is activated by H2O2 to produce amplified NIR fluorescence and photothermal signals for selective imaging and therapy (Chen et al., 2023). Zhang et al. developed a fluorescent probe (F-1) to target human neutrophil elastase (HNE) in A549 cells; F-1 demonstrated high selectivity, low cytotoxicity, and real-time, NIR turn-on fluorescence upon HNE activation, enabling sensitive enzymatic detection (Zhang W. et al., 2021). Xu et al. prepared an Nd@NaGdF4 probe conjugated with a ProGRP antibody, which exhibited low toxicity and enabled near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells and subcutaneous xenograft models for precise tumor identification; this approach offers a promising avenue for noninvasive SCLC diagnosis (Xu L. et al., 2023).
Notably, NIR-II multimodal imaging can be integrated with machine learning approaches to markedly enhance image quality via super-resolution reconstruction, denoising, and feature enhancement. Deep-learning semantic segmentation models (e.g., U-Net) can automatically delineate lesions in NIR-II images—such as tumors or vascular abnormalities—thereby reducing manual annotation errors and interobserver bias. Several studies have reported that AI systems coupled with NIR-II imaging accurately differentiate malignant foci from surrounding normal tissue in breast cancer specimens and can assist intraoperative margin assessment (Y. et al., 2023). Furthermore, combining targeted imaging probes with machine learning enables kinetic modeling of dynamic imaging data (e.g., probe accumulation and clearance). Such modeling supports real-time evaluation of nanomedicine delivery efficiency, tumor targeting, and therapeutic response, and provides quantitative guidance for individualized dosing strategies (Dunn et al., 2023). Looking ahead, imaging probes can be engineered as activatable sensors—responsive to microenvironmental pH or specific enzymatic activities—and machine-learning algorithms can analyze spatiotemporal activation patterns to enable dynamic disease monitoring and evaluation of treatment response (Shen et al., 2024).
3 Application of NIR-II in lung cancer treatment
3.1 Surgery
Accurate determination of resection margins is essential for curative lung cancer surgery, yet conventional visual inspection and palpation frequently fail to delineate tumor boundaries with sufficient precision. Fluorescence-guided surgery has emerged as a key adjunct for achieving more precise resections. NIR-II fluorescence molecular imaging (FMI) markedly increases tumor-to-background contrast, thereby improving the likelihood of complete tumor removal (Lauwerends et al., 2021). Clinically, investigators have employed either nonspecific dyes (e.g., ICG) or tumor-targeted labels such as antibody-conjugated fluorophores. In an ex vivo study, Li et al. applied an EGFR-targeted IRDye800CW to suspicious lung specimens, reporting 85.7% sensitivity and 100% specificity for tumor detection, and favorable performance for nodal metastasis identification (sensitivity 77.8%, specificity 92.1%) (Li et al., 2023). Fan and colleagues introduced a composite navigation approach using a mixture of AIE nanoparticles to provide dual-mode intraoperative guidance (visible and NIR-II fluorescence). This bimodal configuration accelerates intraoperative imaging and is readily compatible with fluorescence endoscopy platforms, enhancing clinical translatability (Fan et al., 2022) (Figure 6).
Figure 6. Schematic illustration of (a) TT3-oCB NPs and (b) DPBT NPs. (c) Absorption spectrum and (d) Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of TT3-oCB NPs. (e) Absorption spectrum and (f) PL spectrum of DPBT NPs. Comparison of TT3-oCB NPs, DPBT NPs, and the AIE NPs cocktail (g) under bright field, (h) under the excitation of an 808 nm laser and (i) under the excitation of an ultraviolet lamp. NIR-II fluorescence images of (j) axillary lymph node, (n) popliteal lymph node and (r) inguinal lymph node of the nude mice treated with the AIE NPs cocktail (scale bar:1 cm). (k,o,s) Cross-sectional fluorescence intensity profiles (black) and the Gaussian fits along the yellow lines in (j, n, r, l, p, t) the pictures of the areas around the lymph nodes under bright field (scale bar:1 cm). Visible fluorescence signals of the (m) axillary lymph node, (q) popliteal lymph node and (u) inguinal lymph node under the ultraviolet lamp (scale bar:1 cm).© 2022 The Xiaoxiao Fan,Qiming Xia,Shunjie Liu,Zheng Zheng,Yiyin Zhang, Tianxiang Wu,Yixuan Li,Guping Tang,Ben Zhong Tang,Jun Qian,Hui Lin. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Zhang et al. described an anthocyanin–albumin complex with promising in vivo imaging characteristics: chlorinated anthocyanin derivatives (e.g., 1-Cl, 5-Cl) localize selectively in lung tumor tissue while showing low uptake in normal lung, a selectivity attributed to upregulated albumin-binding or uptake mechanisms in tumor cells that facilitate complex internalization (YueweiZhang et al., 2023). Donor–acceptor–donor (D–A–D) small-molecule dyes represent another promising category of NIR-II emitters. Although CH1055 exemplifies this class, it is prone to excited-state quenching and chemical degradation, which limit its stability in organic matrices (Sun et al., 2016). To address these limitations, Li et al. developed p-FE, a nanoprobe built on an S–D–A–D–S (FE) scaffold that affords optical and chemical stabilization of D–A–D chromophores and reaches a quantum yield of ∼1.65%. Hybridizing p-FE with single-walled carbon nanotubes enables dual-channel NIR-II imaging of both the vasculature and tumors in vivo (Li et al., 2020). Integration of such probes with complementary imaging agents holds promise for intraoperative margin delineation and guidance of resection extent in lung cancer. Ultimately, NIR-II-guided intraoperative imaging may serve as a valuable complement to standard histopathology, reducing intraoperative decision times and improving the efficiency and accuracy of margin assessment (Zhang Z. et al., 2024).
NIR-II fluorescence–guided surgery provides real-time, high-contrast tumor visualization and has become a key adjunct to precise tumor resection. Smart, activatable NIR-II fluorophores leverage an off–on switching mechanism to increase imaging signal-to-noise ratio and specificity, outperforming ICG overall (China et al., 2019). According to the tumor-associated biomarkers or microenvironmental cues they target, these probes can be grouped into four core strategies: (i) ROS-activatable probes that restore fluorescence by exploiting elevated reactive oxygen species (e.g., H2O2) in tumor cells; (ii) enzyme-activatable probes that undergo off–on conversion upon substrate cleavage by overexpressed tumor enzymes (e.g., matrix metalloproteinases); (iii) RSS-activatable probes that respond to high levels of reductive sulfur species (e.g., H2S or glutathione) within the tumor microenvironment; and (iv) TME-activatable probes that trigger fluorescence in response to global microenvironmental features such as acidic pH or hypoxia. Collectively, these designs enable selective activation at tumor sites and markedly improve imaging contrast.
Constitutively “always-on” probes (e.g., ICG, methylene blue) exhibit short tumor retention, high background, and limited specificity, and they often require prolonged metabolism to generate usable contrast—limitations that hinder real-time, precision surgery. In contrast, single-biomarker activatable probes frequently yield false positives in normal or inflamed tissues, undermining diagnostic accuracy. To overcome these limitations, Dou et al. (2025) reported HN-PBA, an NIR-II fluorescent probe employing dual, cascade activation by metabolic acidity and H2O2 for intraoperative real-time navigation and precise resection of both primary tumors and metastases. HN-PBA implements a dual-locking design in which a boronate ester responds to H2O2 and a carboxyrhodamine unit responds to acidity; only when both cues coexist is intramolecular charge transfer restored and NIR-II fluorescence switched on. In preclinical models, HN-PBA demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity in the tumor microenvironment, enabled high-contrast imaging in subcutaneous, orthotopic, and lung metastasis models (tumor-to-normal ratio up to 27.5), and guided resection of microlesions as small as 0.25 mm. Collectively, these findings suggest that, relative to single-target activation, multi-target cascade activation further improves specificity and lowers false-positive rates.
To overcome the slow response, limited sensitivity, and narrow tumor applicability of conventional dual-locking probes, Zhou et al. (2025) reported ACy-H-NTR, an NIR-II fluorescent probe that integrates tandem locking with dual quenching to enable high-contrast imaging and intraoperative navigation across multiple tumor types. ACy-H-NTR is activated in a cascade manner by sequential cues in the tumor microenvironment: (i) nitroreductase (NTR) under hypoxia reduces the p-nitrobenzyl trigger to release the intermediate ACy-Pz; and (ii) subsequent protonation of a piperazine moiety under acidic conditions restores and amplifies NIR-II fluorescence. (Figure 7).In preclinical models of pancreatic cancer, liver metastasis, and peritoneal metastasis, ACy-H-NTR delivered highly specific imaging with tumor-to-normal ratios of 7.8–16.8 and enabled precise resection of micrometastases <2 mm. By leveraging a synergistic tandem-locking–dual-quenching–lysosomal-retention design, the probe achieves enhanced activation efficiency and tumor selectivity, offering a promising molecular tool for pan-cancer, real-time intraoperative imaging and precision surgery.
Figure 7. (a) Schematic diagram of the design of the tandem-locked and dual-quenched probe ACy-H-NTR, utilizing hypoxic and acidic microenvironments as universal biomarkers of malignant tumors. (b) Schematic illustration of the probe’s rapid response in the interstitial tissue and its long-term retention effect in lysosomes. (c) NIR-II imaging-guided resection in pan-carcinomas mouse models. (d) NIR-II imaging process for clinical cancer samples. © 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
Feng et al. (2025) fabricated AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet (UVC) micro-LEDs and high-density arrays with lateral dimensions down to 3 μm. These sources enable photoresist exposure within seconds and micron-scale pattern transfer, offering a flexible, low-cost, and environmentally friendly alternative for lithography illumination. This advance could accelerate the micro/nanofabrication and integration of NIR-related imaging displays, indirectly driving the miniaturization and performance gains of intraoperative imaging systems.
3.2 Immunotherapy
In immunotherapy studies, NIR-II imaging is frequently employed to label and longitudinally track therapeutic immune populations (e.g., CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells) or immune agents, enabling monitoring of cellular biodistribution, homing, and therapeutic response (Fischbach et al., 2013; Kang et al., 2022; Restifo et al., 2012). Labeling approaches must minimize perturbation of cell phenotype and function; for instance, membrane dyes can impair migration, whereas mitochondrial stains may alter membrane potential and cellular metabolism (Frye and Edidin, 1970; Lulevich et al., 2009). To address these concerns, Choi and Henary reported CTNF126, a lysosome-targeted NIR fluorophore synthesized by appending a primary-amine docking motif onto a heptamethine scaffold. Protonation of the primary amine facilitates membrane translocation, and subsequent intracellular formaldehyde-mediated reductive amination rapidly fixes and sequesters the dye, reducing label transfer and preserving cell function (Figure 8) (Kim et al., 2020; Kim et al., 2021; Park et al., 2019).
Figure 8. (A) Synthetic scheme of CTNF126 assembled from two functional moieties.(B) Longitudinal cellular tracking of the NIR fluorophore and lysosomal chelation of CTNF126. The thickness of the red arrows indicates the degree of ionization. Copyright© 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
An alternative strategy employs the NHS-ester form of fluorophores to covalently label cell-surface proteins; Mellanby et al. developed CIR38M, a tricarbocyanine-derived NIR probe that functions as a nontransferable, persistent label for noninvasive in vivo tracking of therapeutic T cells (Mellanby et al., 2018). NIR fluorophore-loaded nanoparticles have likewise been explored for ex vivo cell labeling, typically via endocytic uptake. Fuller et al. showed that silica nanoparticles coated with cationic polymers can mediate endosomal escape and deliver cargo to the cytosol (Fuller et al., 2008). Zhao et al. used NIR-activatable, phthalocyanine-loaded lipid nanoparticles to label bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs); upon NIR stimulation, these engineered BMMs release chemotherapeutic payloads that ablate primary tumors and elicit immunogenic cell death (Huang et al., 2021). Similarly, Lim and colleagues labeled human NK cells with antibody-conjugated fluorescent quantum dots to visualize the intratumoral behavior and therapeutic impact of injected NK cells by NIR imaging (Lim et al., 2009). Overall, NIR-II imaging provides a powerful platform for evaluating the distribution and efficacy of cell-based therapies and for informing optimization of immunotherapeutic strategies.
3.3 PDT
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is characterized by a favorable safety profile, light-triggered activation, and limited systemic toxicity (Agostinis et al., 2011; Xie et al., 2021). PDT exerts antitumor effects primarily through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which inflict mitochondrial damage and thereby disrupt reprogrammed metabolic pathways in cancer cells (Jia et al., 2022; Li G. et al., 2021). Concurrent inhibition of cellular production of reducing equivalents—for example, via 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)-mediated suppression of NADPH synthesis—alters mitochondrial redox balance and reduces antioxidant capacity, rendering mitochondria more vulnerable to ROS-mediated injury and thereby potentiating PDT efficacy (Sies et al., 2022).
Building on this rationale, Wu et al. reported LnNP@mSiO2-GC nanoparticles that combine NIR activated starvation therapy with PDT (Wu X. et al., 2024). The nanoparticles release 2-DG in response to the acidic tumor microenvironment. Upon 980 nm irradiation, glycolytic inhibition by 2-DG is coupled with Er3+-mediated upconversion emission at ∼650 nm, which activates Ce6 to generate singlet oxygen (1O2). The resulting mitochondrial damage synergizes with metabolic starvation to induce tumor cell death (Figure 9). By converting NIR to red emission under laser irradiation, LnNP@mSiO2-GC enables controlled ROS production and effectively bypasses compensatory flux through the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, improving therapeutic outcomes.
Figure 9. Proposed mechanism of action of LnNP@mSiO2-GC in tumor therapy: upconverted 650-nm emission activates Ce6 to produce singlet oxygen (1O2) for PDT. The generated 1O2 suppresses expression of hexokinase 2 (HK2) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), thereby impairing mitochondrial function and potentiating the anti-glycolytic activity of 2DG. Consequently, glycolytic metabolic reprogramming is disrupted and the efficacy of starvation-based therapy is substantially enhanced. Copyright© 2024 Science China Press. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science China Press. All rights reserved.
Transition-metal complexes are also widely exploited in PDT because of their tunable electronic structures and favorable photophysical and catalytic properties. He et al. synthesized a ruthenium complex (RU-I) incorporating a highly conjugated indole-derived ligand, yielding an absorption red shift of ≈100 nm and a strong absorption band centered at 660 nm (He et al., 2021). RU-I accumulates in lysosomes and, upon red-light exposure, disrupts lysosomal integrity and function, thereby promoting cancer cell death. Separately, Zhang et al. engineered nucleic-acid-modified UiO-66-NH2 metal–organic frameworks (NMOFs) loaded with Zn(II) protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX) as a photosensitizer (Zhang P. et al., 2022). In this design, Zr4+ nodes coordinate with two distinct hairpin DNA scaffolds containing microRNA recognition sequences to enable miRNA-triggered selective imaging; visible-light irradiation then induces ROS-dependent tumor cell killing. Collectively, these strategies—combining metabolic modulation, NIR-activated upconversion, and metal-based photosensitizers—offer complementary routes to enhance PDT potency and selectivity.
3.4 PTT
Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a principal modality of phototherapy that induces tumor cell injury, necrosis, or thermal ablation by disrupting intracellular bioactive molecules; it is valued for being minimally invasive, highly selective, and associated with limited systemic toxicity (Li et al., 2022; Zhang Y. et al., 2022). Photothermal agents (PTAs), the active constituents of PTT, are frequently incorporated into nanoparticle (NP) platforms to facilitate targeted delivery and controlled photothermal conversion (Chen et al., 2020; Lan et al., 2023).
Dong et al. synthesized a croconaine-derived conjugate (CR-TPE-T) that self-assembles into nanoparticles with strong NIR absorption, high photothermal conversion efficiency, good photostability, and favorable biocompatibility (Dong et al., 2024). These CR NPs demonstrate efficient tumor accumulation in the NIR-II window and mediate tumor ablation under NIR-II guided PTT using 808 nm laser irradiation. Feng et al. developed a tumor-microenvironment-responsive, NIR-activatable theranostic nanoreactor (SnO2−x@AGP), in which hollow mesoporous SnO2−x functions both as a carrier and as an active therapeutic component: its abundant oxygen vacancies enhance PDT/PTT activity. The system consumes intratumoral glucose to elevate endogenous H2O2 and thereby induce cytotoxic oxidative stress—a strategy referred to as oxidative-stress therapy—rather than relying solely on energy deprivation (Feng et al., 2023) (Figure 10). Ge and colleagues reported a gold-nanocluster–based probe, Au44MBA26-Cy7, which leverages AIE to boost Au44 NC photoluminescence in the NIR-II region. Concurrent local enrichment of Cyanine-7 (Cy7) on the cluster surface increases photothermal conversion efficiency to ∼65.1%, substantially enhancing PTT performance (Yang et al., 2023).
Figure 10. (a) schematic illustration to show the key steps involved in the preparation of hollow mesoporous SnO2−x@AGPNanoreactors and (b) associated major mechanistic pathways in cancer therapy. Copyright © 2023, American chemical society.
3.5 ADC
Real-time visualization of antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) offers critical information on tumor-targeting specificity, therapeutic efficacy, and potential off-target accumulation that can precipitate adverse events. To facilitate accurate in vivo tracking, Chazeau et al. developed a modular fluorescent platform based on a NIR-II-emitting aza-BODIPY scaffold that can be site-specifically appended to IgG1 antibodies to produce well-defined fluorescent ADCs (Figure 11) (Chazeau et al., 2025). Using this approach, the authors generated a HER2-targeted trastuzumab conjugate incorporating the NIR-II aza-BODIPY motif; subsequent installation of a cytotoxic payload yielded fluorescent ADCs that exhibited significant antitumor activity in preclinical evaluation.
Figure 11. (a) Synthesis of the azaNIR-II-BCN platform.(b) Synthesis of the fluorescent ADC Trastu–azaNIR-II–MMAE.Copyright© 2025, American chemical society.
Thankarajan and colleagues reported a complementary dual-dye labeling strategy (IRDAbmXCyCLB) and validated its performance in HER2-positive BT-474 xenograft models (Thankarajan et al., 2021). This dual-dye system enabled quantitative, longitudinal monitoring of drug release and proved robust against variations in experimental conditions and inter-animal response heterogeneity. Collectively, these studies underscore the translational potential of NIR-labeled ADCs for HER2-positive lung cancers.
Beyond HER2, NIR-based ADC strategies have been applied to other clinically relevant cell-surface receptors—including epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), folate receptor, and cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) (Goff et al., 1994; Wei et al., 2022)—as well as selected intracellular targets (Wang et al., 2015). Integrating NIR imaging into ADC design can improve targeted delivery efficiency, enable precise spatiotemporal control of payload release, and optimize pharmacokinetic and targeting properties, thereby broadening the scope for combined diagnostic and therapeutic (theranostic) applications in malignancies such as lung cancer (Godard et al., 2023; Molecular Imaging Program, 2019; Nagaya et al., 2015; Sato et al., 2018).
4 Integrated diagnosis and treatment
The central principle of NIR-enabled theranostics is to integrate diagnostic imaging and therapeutic modalities through nanotechnology, exploiting the deep-tissue penetration of NIR light for precise localization, real-time monitoring, and immunomodulation, while employing tumor-microenvironment-responsive designs to enhance specificity and retention. In lung cancer, NIR-based theranostic strategies couple imaging guidance, targeted NIR photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT), and multimodal regimens—for example, combinations of immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and photothermal therapy—to achieve a seamless transition from accurate diagnosis to effective treatment.
Notably, NIR-II fluorescence guidance has enabled integrated multimodal interventions: NIR-IIb imaging can direct combined surgery, metabolic-starvation therapy, and chemodynamic therapy (CDT) for synchronous diagnostic–therapeutic action in vivo (Han et al., 2023). Mitochondria-targeted NIR aggregation-induced-emission (AIE) photosensitizers serve dual roles in high-contrast imaging and singlet-oxygen/reactive-oxygen-species (ROS) generation for precision photodynamic therapy (PDT). These agents display high tumor specificity and immunogenic potential, minimizing collateral damage to normal tissues (Chen et al., 2024) and inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) that promotes durable antitumor immunity (Ogawa et al., 2017).
To accelerate clinical translation, key challenges must be addressed, including development of multi-targeted synergistic platforms, standardization of therapeutic dosing and illumination protocols, and validation across heterogeneous and clinically relevant tumor models (Georgieva et al., 2021; Kato et al., 2021). Addressing these gaps will be essential to realize the full potential of NIR-guided theranostics in malignant lung disease.
5 Prospects and challenges
NIR light, particularly in the NIR-II window, offers superior tissue penetration compared with visible wavelengths, making it well suited for noninvasive and minimally invasive diagnostics, such as tissue oxygenation monitoring and ischemia detection. Advanced NIR probes—for example, NIR-emissive polymeric nanovesicles—substantially enhance imaging sensitivity and are driving progress in molecular diagnostics and PDT (Bon and Cognet, 2022; Ghoroghchian et al., 2009). Complementary advances in theoretical modeling and spectral prediction further improve NIR spectral analysis and facilitate the integration of multimodal imaging techniques (Beć and Huck, 2019). Emerging NIR-II–visualizable gas-based therapies, for example, controlled-release nanoplatforms for carbon monoxide (CO) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S), permit real-time imaging of gas accumulation and release within tumors. These approaches can improve antitumor efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity and are particularly promising for deep-seated or metastatic lung cancers (Wu J. et al., 2024). Despite these advances and the substantial innovations that NIR imaging has introduced to cancer diagnosis and treatment, practical performance remains constrained by detector sensitivity and noise, which limit effective penetration depth and spatial resolution (Deriu et al., 2023). Current NIR-II organic probes (e.g., donor–acceptor–donor [D–A–D] molecules) suffer from low quantum yields, poor aqueous solubility, and slow clearance, whereas inorganic probes (e.g., quantum dots) raise concerns about long-term toxicity and metal-ion leaching (Dai et al., 2021a) (Table 2). Future progress will require the development of probes that combine high brightness, biodegradability, and targeting specificity, together with strategies to improve tissue penetration (for example, reduced particle size and enhanced targeting ligands) and computational solutions for motion-artifact correction (Zhang J. et al., 2024).
Table 2. Current advantages and limitations of NIR-II imaging for lung cancer applications.
Moreover, advancing NIR-II technology calls for close integration of materials science, imaging science, and clinical research; for instance, engineering tumor-responsive “activatable” probes (sensitive to pH or enzymatic activities) will demand interdisciplinary efforts to overcome design complexity and enable scalable manufacturing (Zhang Y. et al., 2021).
For multi-target activation, implementing AND-gate responses to multiple biomarkers (e.g., ROS and specific enzymes) substantially enhances diagnostic specificity in complex diseases and has become a key research direction. Reversible systems remain in an exploratory stage; the central task is to design molecular switches that reversibly report dynamic physiological cues (e.g., pH or redox fluctuations), enabling continuous monitoring of disease progression and assessment of therapeutic response. In situ labeling—especially bioorthogonal click chemistry—builds fluorescent signals directly within lesions in vivo, affording exceptional spatial resolution and localization accuracy, and thus represents an ideal tool for precision applications such as surgical navigation (Fu et al., 2025). Beyond simply appending antibodies or peptides as targeting ligands, greater gains in targeting and specificity arise from coupling targeted delivery with microenvironment-triggered activation—for instance, leveraging tumor acidity to unmask reactive groups, thereby amplifying signals selectively at the lesion and improving imaging signal-to-noise and therapeutic selectivity. Collectively, the integrated application of these strategies could accelerate the clinical translation of next-generation intelligent activatable probes.
Author contributions
YuY: Conceptualization, Writing – review and editing, Writing – original draft. JF: Conceptualization, Writing – review and editing, Writing – original draft. RX: Writing – original draft, Conceptualization, Writing – review and editing. CW: Software, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing. SW: Writing – review and editing, Writing – original draft, Data curation. LW: Data curation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing. YaY: Writing – review and editing, Writing – original draft, Validation. CL: Writing – review and editing, Validation, Writing – original draft. GY: Writing – review and editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization. LY: Validation, Writing – review and editing, Writing – original draft. HZ: Writing – original draft, Writing – review and editing, Project administration, Supervision.
Funding
The author(s) declared that financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. The project was Supported by the Opening Project of Medical Imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province (NO.MIKL202308); Suining Municipal Data Bureau (NO.SNAI 2025H0006).
Conflict of interest
The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Keywords: diagnose, integration, lung cancer, NIR-II, therapy
Citation: Yang Y, Fu J, Xie R, Wang C, Wang S, Wen L, Yang Y, Liu C, Yi G, Yu L and Zhou H (2026) NIR-II fluorescence in lung cancer: advancing precision diagnosis and image-guided therapy. Front. Chem. 13:1720197. doi: 10.3389/fchem.2025.1720197
Received: 07 October 2025; Accepted: 23 December 2025;
Published: 14 January 2026.
Edited by:
Fabiao Yu, Hainan Medical University, ChinaReviewed by:
Yu-Shun Yang, Nanjing University, ChinaKai Song, Changchun Normal University, China
Kun Dou, Hainan Medical University, China
Copyright © 2026 Yang, Fu, Xie, Wang, Wang, Wen, Yang, Liu, Yi, Yu and Zhou. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Li Yu, bGl5dTE1OTM1NzI1OEAxMjYuY29t; HaiNing Zhou, aGFpbmluZ196aG91QHptdS5lZHUuY24=
†These authors have contributed equally to this work and shared first authorship