Pyrrolopyrrole aza-BODIPY near-infrared photosensitizer for dual-mode imaging-guided photothermal cancer therapy

Abstract

A NIR photosensitizer pyrrolopyrrole aza-BODIPY (PPAB) was synthesized in a straightforward manner. Through the use of PPAB NPs as a photothermal agent, photoacoustic imaging (PAI) and NIR fluorescence imaging (NIR-FI) can be achieved in vivo. In addition, the photothermal ablation of tumor cells can be realized both in vitro and in vivo, even at a low concentration (0.5 mg kg⁻¹).