A Two-Photon Excited Organic Laser Material for Nano-Theranostics

Integrated diagnosis and treatment, i.e. theragnosis, has become a crucial concept in the future of the healthcare field. In this work, the properties of organic lasers are utilized for the design of nano-theranostic probes. By ingeniously modifying the distyrylbenzene structure, it achieves high two-photon absorption cross-sections and maintains low-threshold laser performance, achieving two-photon excitation (2PE) organic nano-rod lasers. These nano-rods exhibit 2PE laser properties and high singlet oxygen production efficiency, marking their emergence as integrated nano-theranostic agents. The novel nano-theranostic agents demonstrate the application of 2PE laser for in vivo imaging and 2PE photodynamic therapy treatment of melanoma, showcasing their potential to perform simultaneous tumor staging and therapy. The success of the organic 2PE laser reagent in melanoma models underscores its potential for early detection, enhanced imaging, and effective treatment, offering a promising new direction for integrated cancer theranostics.