Dual-molecular targeted NIR II probe with enhanced response for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma imaging

In this research, a fluorescent probe of 7-(diethylamine) coumarin derivatives with multiple binding sites to detect biothiols in tumor cell with strong NIR II luminescence in vivo was synthesized. The biothiols include cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH) in tumor cells, and the tumor-response luminescence was proved by the cell experiment. Importantly, the monolayer functional phospholipid (DSPE-PEG) coating and aggregation induced emission (AIE) dye of TPE modification made the probe have good stability and biocompatibility with little luminescence quenching in aqueous phase, which was proved by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The final aqueous NIR II probe combined with bevacizumab (for VEGF recognition in the cancer cells) and Capmatinib (for Met protein recognition in the cancer cells) has stronger targeted imaging on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cancer with intravenous injection. This GSH/Cys detection in the tumor cell and strong dual-molecular NIR II bioimaging in vivo may provide new strategy to tumor detection.