Organic Semiconductors for Photothermal Therapy and Photoacoustic Imaging

Abstract

In recent years, semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) have been attracting considerable attention because of their outstanding characteristics such as higher light and thermal stability. They are widely used in fields of biomedicine such as photoacoustic (PA) imaging (PAI), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and photothermal therapy (PTT). PAI, a new imaging modality based on PA effects, shows great promise in biomedical applications. SPNs that display strong optical absorbance in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions can be promising candidates for in vivo PTT and PAI. Here we introduce the preparation of organic conjugated polymer fluorescent nanoparticles in the aqueous phase. We then discuss the application of water-dispersible conjugated polymer nanoparticles in PA and PTT. Finally, we discuss the opportunities and challenges for the development of organic conjugated polymer nanoparticles.

Keywords: antitumor agents; conjugate semiconducting materials; imaging agents; photoacoustic imaging; photothermal therapy.