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Near‐infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR‐PIT) is a new type of cancer treatment, which was recently approved in Japan for patients with inoperable head and neck cancer. NIR‐PIT utilizes antibody‐IRDye700DX (IR700) conjugates and NIR light at a wavelength of 690 nm. NIR light exposure leads to physicochemical changes in the antibody‐IR700 conjugate cell receptor complex, inducing rapid necrotic cell death. Just as fluorescence guided surgery is useful for surgeons to resect tumors completely, real‐time information of tumor locations would help clinicians irradiate NIR light more precisely. IR700 is a fluorescence dye that emits at 702 nm; however, there is no clinically available device optimized for detecting this fluorescence. On the other hand, many indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging devices have been approved for clinical use. Therefore, we investigated whether LIGHTVISION, one of the clinically available ICG cameras, could be employed for tumor detection. We hypothesized that irradiation with even low‐power 690‐nm laser light, attenuated by 99% with a neutral‐density filter, could be detected with LIGHTVISION without fluorescence decay or therapeutic effect because of the long emission tail of IR700 beyond 800 nm (within the detection range of LIGHTVISION). We demonstrated that the LIGHTVISION camera, originally designed for ICG detection, can detect the tail of IR700 fluorescence in real time, thus enabling the visualization of target tumors., A diagnostic imaging method is developed for accurately localizing tumor and IR700 accumulation based on IR700 fluorescence, using weakened therapeutic laser light at a nontherapeutic dose and a commercially available clinical fluorescence camera for indocyanine green (LIGHTVISION).

In the present study, chiral Cux Coy S nanoparticles (NPs) were developed to selectively induce apoptosis of senescent cells using both an alternating magnetic field (AMF) and near infrared (NIR) photon illumination. The chiral effects on living cells were investigated, and d-Cux Coy S NPs showed about 2.5 times higher of internalized ability than l-NPs. By modifying beta 2 macroglobulin (MG), senescent cells were effectively eliminated by d-Cux Coy S NPs without damaging the activities of normal cells under AMF and photon illumination. Compared to the individual application of NIR illumination and AMF, their synergistic effect induced the production of caspase-3 with a much shorter treatment time and higher efficiency due to the more serious photon-induced cellular redox and mechanical damage of cellular skeleton. Moreover, the developed strategy was successfully used to remove senescent cells in vivo. This study developed a controllable way of regulating cell activities using chiral NPs, which will provide a valuable way for treating diseases and promoting health.

The elephant ivory trade remains controversial because of concerns about the extinction risk of elephants and the different needs of CITES member states. Thailand's situation is particularly contentious because of the different legal status among types of elephant ivory. Thai law allows the local sale of ivory from domesticated Asian elephants, which creates challenges for Thai enforcement officers in identification of ivory provenance. We investigated the capacity of non‐destructive Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy (600–1700 nm), combined with Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (PLS‐DA), to discriminate between ivory from African, wild Asian and domesticated Asian elephants. Ivory spectra of 64 elephants were divided randomly into calibration and validation datasets. We were able to determine elephant ivory provenance at both the interspecies (African and Asian elephant ivory), and within species (wild and domesticated Asian elephant ivory) classifications with 100% accuracy. These results showed the potential use of handheld NIR spectrometers for rapid assessments of ivory provenance, as well as a forensic tool for wider enforcement.

Herein, near-infrared (NIR) photocontrolled iodide-mediated reversible-deactivation radical polymerization (RDRP) of methacrylates, without an external photocatalyst, was developed using an alkyl iodide (e.g., 2-iodo-2-methylpropionitrile) as the initiator at room temperature. This example is the first use of a series of special solvents containing carbonyl groups (e.g., 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone) as both solvent and catalyst for photocontrolled RDRP using long-wavelength (λmax =730 nm) irradiation. The polymerization system comprises monomer, alkyl iodide initiator, and solvent. Well-defined polymers were synthesized with excellent control over the molecular weights and molecular weight distributions (Mw /Mn

Targeted, on-demand delivery has been of interest using materials responsive to environmental stimuli. A delivery technique based on precise release of aqueous microdroplets from a liquid crystal (LC) medium with contactless stimulation is presented. A nematic LC is doped with a photothermal dye that produces heat under near IR light exposure. The heat is used to overcome the elastic strains in the LC phase, promoting the release of initially entrapped water droplets to the neighboring aqueous solution. Designing the geometry of LC-based emulsions and tuning the light intensity and position allows for manipulation of the release in two distinct modes defined as pulsated and continuous. In the pulsated mode, water droplets are released transiently from the casted water-in-LC emulsion layer based on sweeping by the moving isotropic-nematic phase boundary controlled by light. In the continuous mode, water droplets are ejected continuously from a droplet-shaped water-in-LC emulsion, due to a heating-induced internal flow controlled by light. The droplet release by contactless stimulation is used for the on-demand dosing of dopamine and its oxidizing reagent from isolated reservoirs to obtain an in situ reaction signal for a hydrogen peroxide assay. A new dual-mode release system developed with photothermal LCs holds potential in drug release, controlled mixing, and photothermal therapy

Intelligent responsive microcarriers have emerged as a promising class of biomaterials for therapeutic delivery and tissue regeneration, since they can respond to external stimuli and release the loaded drugs in an active manner. Among various available stimuli, near‐infrared (NIR) light is particularly attractive because it can penetrate biotic tissues with sufficient intensity and minimal damage. In this work, a kind of photoresponsive delivery microcarriers (PDMs) is developed using microfluidics. The microcarriers consist of NIR‐absorbing graphene oxide, thermosensitive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), and biocompatible gelatin methacrylate. Under NIR light, the PDMs exhibit an evident volume shrinkage and effectively trigger the drug release. After the NIR light is switched off, the shrunken microcarriers return to their original size. This reversible process can be stably repeated for many cycles. An in vitro experiment demonstrates that the NIR‐radiated PDMs can actively release vascular endothelial growth factors and improve the tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The results from the in vivo experiment also show an obvious photothermal effect and superior therapeutic efficacy of these PDMs in a rat model of tissue defects. These features make the PDMs an excellent drug delivery system and represent a great potential for clinical applications in tissue repair., Photoresponsive delivery microcarriers are developed using microfluidics, which consist of graphene oxide, poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), and gelatin methacrylate. These microcarriers can actively respond to near‐infrared light and release the encapsulated drugs according to the irradiation frequency. After being implanted into a rat model of abdominal wall defects, they also exhibit potential value in tissue repair.

Nanomaterials-based prodrug activation systems have been widely explored in cancer therapy, aiming at overcoming limited dosage formulation, systemic toxicity, and insufficient pharmacokinetic performance of parent drugs. For better delivery control, various stimuli systems, especially nanomaterials-based ones, have come to the forefront. Among them, near-infrared (NIR) light takes advantage of on-demand/site-specific regulation and non-invasiveness. In this review, we will address the developments of nanomaterials-based prodrug over the last decade, the activation mechanisms, and bioapplications under NIR light triggering. The advantages and limitations of NIR-triggered prodrug activation strategies and the perspectives of the next-generation prodrug nanomedicine will also be summarized. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

Light‐based technique, including optical imaging and photoregulation, has become one of the most important tools for both fundamental research and clinical practice, such as cell signal sensing, cancer diagnosis, tissue engineering, drug delivery, visual regulation, neuromodulation, and disease treatment. In particular, low energy near‐infrared (NIR, 700–1700 nm) light possesses lower phototoxicity and higher tissue penetration depth in living systems as compared with ultraviolet/visible light, making it a promising tool for in vivo applications. Currently, the NIR light‐based imaging and photoregulation strategies have offered a possibility to real‐time sense and/or modulate specific cellular events in deep tissues with subcellular accuracy. Herein, the recent progress with respect to NIR light for monitoring and modulating the spatiotemporal dynamics of cell functions in living systems are summarized. In particular, the applications of NIR light‐based techniques in cancer theranostics, regenerative medicine, and neuroscience research are systematically introduced and discussed. In addition, the challenges and prospects for NIR light‐based cell sensing and regulating techniques are comprehensively discussed., NIR light‐based technique, including optical imaging and photoreglation, has become one of the most important tools for both fundamental research and clinical practice. Herein, the recent progress of NIR light‐based cell function sensing and modulation in cancer theranostics, regenerative medicine, and neuroscience research is summarized.

We report a near-infrared (NIR) light-powered Janus mesoporous silica nanomotor (JMSNM) with macrophage cell membrane (MPCM) cloaking that can actively seek cancer cells and thermomechanically percolate cell membrane. Upon exposure to NIR light, a heat gradient across the Janus boundary of the JMSNMs is generated by the photothermal effect of the Au half-shells, resulting in a self-thermophoretic force that propels the JMSNMs. In biological medium, the MPCM camouflaging can not only prevent dissociative biological blocks from adhering to JMSNMs but also improve the seeking sensitivity of the nanomotors by specifically recognizing cancer cells. The biofriendly propulsion and recognition capability enable JMSNMs to achieve the active seeking and bind to the membrane of cancer cells. Subsequent illumination with NIR then triggers the photothermal effect of MPCM@JMSNMs to thermomechanically perforate the cytomembranes for guest molecular injection. This approach integrates the functions of active seeking, cytomembranes perforating, and thermomechanical therapy in nanomotors, which may pave the way to apply self-propelled motors in biomedical fields.

A range of technologies using near infrared (NIR) light have shown promise at providing real time measurements of hemodynamic markers in bone tissue in vivo, an exciting prospect given existing difficulties in measuring hemodynamics in bone tissue. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the evidence for this potential use of NIR systems, establishing their potential as a research tool in this field. Major electronic databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched using pre-planned search strategies with broad scope for any in vivo use of NIR technologies in human bone tissue. Following identification of studies by title and abstract screening, full text inclusion was determined by double blind assessment using predefined criteria. Full text studies for inclusion were data extracted using a predesigned proforma and quality assessed. Narrative synthesis was appropriate given the wide heterogeneity of included studies. Eighty-eight full text studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 57 addressing laser Doppler flowmetry (56 intra-operatively), 21 near infrared spectroscopy, and 10 photoplethysmography. The heterogeneity of the methodologies included differing hemodynamic markers, measurement protocols, anatomical locations, and research applications, making meaningful direct comparisons impossible. Further, studies were often limited by small sample sizes with potential selection biases, detection biases, and wide variability in results between participants. Despite promising potential in the use of NIR light to interrogate bone circulation, the application of NIR systems in bone requires rigorous assessment of the reproducibility of potential hemodynamic markers and further validation of these markers against alternative physiologically relevant reference standards. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2595-2603, 2018.

The success of photopharmacology is inevitably tied to the availability of photoswitches, which can be operated within the biological window (λ=650-1450 nm) to maximize penetration in tissue. A general design strategy has been devised and a dihydropyrene derivative is described here that displays negative T-type photochromism, allowing for efficient and nearly quantitative (95 %) switching induced by NIR light λ>800 nm. The thermal half-life of the decolored ring-open meta-cyclophanediene isomer ranges from minutes to hours, depending on the solvent polarity and hence serves as a probe of the local environment. Due to the rather subtle geometrical differences between the two isomers, suitably modified NIR photoswitches are potential candidates for switching when bound in the pocket of the biological target, in principle allowing for reversible light-induced inhibitor deactivation as an alternative approach to externally regulate biological functions.

BACKGROUND Today, it is well accepted that the quantitative measurement of anti-cancer drugs in human biological samples requires the development and validation of efficient bioanalytical methods. This study attempts to provide a high-capacity and thermo-sensitive nano-adsorbent for bicalutamide extraction from human biological fluids. MAIN METHODS AND MAJOR RESULTS In this study, five generations of thermo-sensitive dendrimers were synthesized onto the surface of WS2 nano-sheets. After drug-loading process from body fluids, the near-infrared (NIR) light (at 808 nm) was applied and light-to-heat conversion by the WS2 nano-sheets led to shrinkage in polymer chains, resulting the release of the entrapped drug. Finally, the extracted drug was analyzed via HPLC-UV system (at 270 nm). The final nano-adsorbent was described via FE-SEM, XRD, FT-IR, and TGA techniques. The adsorption isotherm data were well fitted by Langmuier isotherm model (R2 = 0.9978). The mean recoveries for spiking bicalutamide at three different concentrations in plasma and urine samples were 92.12% and 94.54% under the NIR light irradiation. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We have developed a smart strategy to analyze bicalutamide in biological samples using near-infrared light irradiation in a controlled manner. All the results indicate the promising application of the proposed method for the extraction and determination of bicalutamide.

Upconversion is a nonlinear optical phenomenon that involves the emission of high‐energy photons by sequential absorption of two or more low‐energy excitation photons. Due to their excellent physiochemical properties such as deep penetration depth, little damage to samples, and high chemical stability, upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are extensively applied in bioimaging, biosensing, theranostic, and photochemical reactions. Here, recent achievements in the synthesis, optimization, and applications of UCNP‐based nanomaterials are reviewed. The state‐of‐the‐art approaches to synthesize UCNPs in the past few years are introduced first, followed by a summary of several strategies to optimize upconversion emissive properties and various applications of UCNPs. Lastly, the challenges and future perspectives of UCNPs are provided as a conclusion., Due to their excellent physiochemical properties, rare‐earth based upconversion nanoparticles are extensively applied in bioimaging, biosensing, phototherapy, optogenetics, etc. Research progress in synthesis, optimization, and various applications of rare‐earth based upconversion nanoparticles is summarized and evaluated.

Quantum dots (QDs) with near-infrared fluorescence (NIR) are an emerging class of QDs with unique capabilities owing to the deeper tissue penetrability of NIR light compared with visible light. NIR light also effectively overcomes organism autofluorescence, making NIR QDs particularly attractive in biological imaging applications for disease diagnosis. Considering latest developments, Ag2 S QDs are a rising star among NIR QDs due to their excellent NIR fluorescence properties and biocompatibility. This review presents the various methods to synthesize NIR Ag2 S QDs, and systematically discusses their applications in biosensing, bioimaging, and theranostics. Major challenges and future perspectives concerning the synthesis and bioapplications of NIR Ag2 S QDs are discussed.

Intelligent-responsive imaging-therapy strategy has shown great significance for biomedicine. However, it is still a challenge to construct spatiotemporally controlled imaging-therapy systems triggered by near infrared (NIR) light. In this work, NIR-light-activated ratiometric fluorescent hybrid micelles (RFHM) are prepared via the co-assembly of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), doxorubicin (DOX), and UV-light-responsive amphiphilic block copolymer for the spatiotemporally controlled imaging and chemotherapy. Upon NIR light irradiation, UCNPs can convert NIR light to UV light. The emitted UV light induces the photoreaction of copolymer to further trigger ratiometric fluorescence imaging and degradation of hybrid micelles, resulting in rapid DOX release from hybrid micelles for antitumor therapy. The animal experiments reveal that NIR light can not only remotely regulate the ratiometric fluorescence imaging of RFHM in tumor tissue, but also trigger DOX release from RFHM to inhibit tumor growth. Therefore, this study provides a new strategy to achieve high spatial-temporal-controlled biological imaging and chemotherapy.

A gold nanoshell-functionalized polymer multilayer nanorocket performs self-propulsion upon the irradiation with NIR light in the absence of chemical fuel. Theoretical simulations reveal that the NIR light-triggered self-thermophoresis drives the propulsion of the nanorocket. The nanorocket also displays ­efficient NIR light-triggered propulsion in ­biofluids and thus holds considerable promise for various potential biomedical applications.

The near-infrared (NIR) region of the spectrum is called the "therapeutic window" because NIR light can penetrate deeply into tissue. Therefore, NIR-sensitive materials are attractive for biomedical applications. Recently, upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) were used to construct NIR-sensitive materials. UCNPs convert NIR light to UV or visible light, which can trigger photoreactions of photosensitive materials. Here, how to use UCNPs to construct NIR-sensitive materials is introduced, applications of NIR-sensitive materials with a focus on biomedical applications are highlighted, and the associated challenges are discussed.

NaYbF4:Tm@NaYF4:Yb/Er upconversion nanoparticles are synthesized and then integrated with light-sensitive nitric oxide (NO) donors (Roussin's black salt) to construct a novel near-infrared (NIR)-triggered on-demand NO delivery platform. This nanocompound can absorb 980 nm NIR photons, convert them into higher energy photons and then transfer the energy to the NO donors, resulting in an efficient release of NO. By manipulating the output power of the 980-nm NIR light, NO-concentration-dependent biological effects for cancer therapy can be fine-tuned, which is investigated and confirmed in vitro. High concentrations of NO can directly kill cancer cells and low concentrations of NO can act as a potent P-glycoprotein (P-gp) modulator to overcome multi-drug resistance (MDR) if combined with chemotherapy.

To address the requirements of biomedical applications including biosensing, bioimaging, and drug delivery, fluorescent nanomaterials served as efficient tools in many cases. Among them, near-infrared quantum dots (NIR QDs) have been used as novel fluorescent labels for their binary advantages of both QDs and NIR light. In this review, through collecting references in recent 10 years, we have introduced basic structures and properties of NIR QDs and summarized the classification and the related synthetic methods. This review also highlights the functionalization and surface bioconjugation of NIR QDs, and their biomedical applications in biosensing, bioimaging, and drug delivery. This article is categorized under: Diagnostic Tools > Diagnostic Nanodevices Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging.

Here, near-infrared (NIR) light-induced remote control of cell morphology is demonstrated. This is enabled by shape-memory activation of nanopatterns that transition from a memorized temporal pattern to the original permanent pattern. The NIR-induced shape-memory nanopatterns are prepared by chemically crosslinking poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) in the presence of gold nanorods (AuNRs). The temporary surface patterns are successfully memorized onto the permanent patterns regardless of the incorporation of AuNRs. Exposure to NIR light can successfully induce the photothermal heating of embedded AuNRs and consequently, the shape-switching transition to permanent patterns over the melting temperature of PCL. The shape-memory transition is spatially limited to the photo-illuminated region, depending on the concentration of embedded AuNRs, the intensity of the NIR light, or the irradiation time. Finally, the NIR-actuated shape-memory nanopatterns are used to control cell morphology both remotely and locally. Cells on the illuminated regions change their morphology as the temporal nanopatterns transition to a flat surface.

Gold nanoechinus can sensitize the formation of singlet oxygen in the first and the second near-infra red (NIR) biological windows and exert in vivo dual modal photodynamic and photothermal therapeutic effects (PDT and PTT) to destruct the tumors completely. This is the first literature example of the destruction of tumors in NIR window II induced by dual modal nanomaterial-mediated photodynamic and photothermal therapy (NmPDT & NmPTT).

Supramolecular hydrogels (SMHs) are three-dimensional networks filled with a large amount of water. The crosslinking force in the 3D network is always constructed by relatively weak and dynamic non-covalent interactions, and thus SMHs usually possess extremely high susceptibility to external environment and can show extraordinary stimuli-responsive, self-healing or other attractive properties. However, the overall crosslinking force in hydrogel networks is difficult to flexibly modulate, and this leads to limited functions of the SMHs. In this regard, hierarchical hydrogen bonds, that is, the mixture of relatively strong and relatively weak hydrogen bonds, are used herein as crosslinking force for the hydrogel preparation. The ratio of strong and weak hydrogen bonds can be finely tuned to tailor the properties of resultant gels. Thus, by delicate manipulation of the overall crosslinking force in the system, a hydrogel with multiple (thermal, pH and NIR light) responsiveness, autonomous self-healing property and interesting temperature dependent, reversible adhesion behavior is obtained. This kind of hierarchical hydrogen bond manipulation is proved to be a general method for multiple-functionality hydrogel preparation, and the resultant material shows potential for a range of applications.

Antimonene (AM) is a recently described two-dimensional (2D) elemental layered material. In this study, a novel photonic drug-delivery platform based on 2D PEGylated AM nanosheets (NSs) is developed. The platform's multiple advantages include: i) excellent photothermal properties, ii) high drug-loading capacity, iii) spatiotemporally controlled drug release triggered by near-infrared (NIR) light and moderate acidic pH, iv) superior accumulation at tumor sites, v) deep tumor penetration by both extrinsic stimuli (i.e., NIR light) and intrinsic stimuli (i.e., pH), vi) excellent multimodal-imaging properties, and vii) significant inhibition of tumor growth with no observable side effects and potential degradability, thus addressing several key limitations of cancer nanomedicines. The intracellular fate of the prepared NSs is also revealed for the first time, providing deep insights that improve cellular-level understanding of the nano-bio interactions of AM-based NSs and other emerging 2D nanomaterials. To the best of knowledge, this is the first report on 2D AM-based photonic drug-delivery platforms, possibly marking an exciting jumping-off point for research into the application of 2D AM nanomaterials in cancer theranostics.

Phototherapy with the properties of specific spatial/temporal selectivity and minimal invasiveness has been acknowledged as one of the most promising cancer therapy types. Among all the photoactive substance for phototherapy, titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanomaterials are paid more and more attention due to their outstanding photocatalytic properties, prominent biocompatibility, and excellent chemical stability. However, the wide bandgap (3.0-3.2 eV) of TiO2 limits its absorption only to the ultraviolet (UV) light region. For a long time, UV light-stimulated TiO2 was applied in the phototherapy researches of tumors located in the skin layer, while it is unsatisfactory for most deep-tissue tumors. Due to the maximum penetration into tissue existing in the near-infrared (NIR) region, how to use NIR light to trigger photochemical reaction of TiO2 remains a big challenge. In this review, two strategies to develop and construct NIR-triggered TiO2 -based nanocomposites (NCs) for phototherapy are summarized, and the relevant mechanism and background knowledge of TiO2 -based phototherapy are also given in order to better understand the application value and current situation of TiO2 in phototherapy. Finally, the challenges and research directions of TiO2 in the future clinic phototherapy application are also discussed.

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Irradiation with NIR light (λ = 828 nm) gives somewhat lower yields while irradiation with visible light in absence of any solvents shows a significant decline in yields.

This study focuses on developing a facile approach to prepare biocompatible poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite hydrogels containing polydopamine particles (PDAPs) with ultrafast near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered shape memory and self-healing capability. The PVA-PDAPs composite hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties can be achieved after freezing/thawing treatment, and the formation of physically cross-linked networks from the hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) between PVA and PDAPs. Due to the excellent photothermal effect of polydopamine, the composited hydrogel can achieve rapid shape recovery and efficient self-healing properties under NIR light exposure in a short time. With the excellent shape memory performance, good biocompatibility, and self-healing property, this hydrogel should have great potential in biomedical fields such as tissue engineering, arthrodial cartilage, and artificial skin.

Dual-band electrochromic composite materials are of utmost importance in advancing the electrochromic field toward achieving the ideal smart window with independent control over visible and near-infrared (NIR) radiation. However, such composites usually need deliberate architecting of their mesoscale structure (e.g., via block copolymer-templating method) to make the electrolyte contact with both NIR and visible-light modulating components. Herein, instead of arduously making exterior pores, the intrinsic structural tunnels are utilized directly in electrochromic materials to facilitate the accommodation and transportation of insertion ions, which permit the infiltration of the electrolyte to be in contact with both visible (Prussian blue) and NIR-light modulating components (nonstoichiometric tungsten oxide). Such simple-fabricated composite materials exhibit excellent dual-band electrochromic performance with an unprecedented dynamic optical range for modulation of visible and NIR light, up to 71.2% at 633 nm and 64.8% at 1600 nm, respectively.