Ratiometric afterglow luminescence: Emerging paradigm for reliable quantitative bio-imaging and disease monitoring

Ratiometric afterglow luminescence has emerged as a transformative approach for quantitative bio-imaging and disease monitoring, addressing fundamental limitations in conventional imaging techniques. This review examines recent advancements in ratiometric afterglow probes, concentrating on their design principles, energy transfer mechanisms, and applications in disease detection. The integration of dual-emission capabilities with prolonged luminescence enables reliable quantification by eliminating background interference and providing internal calibration. Recent advances have demonstrated exceptional performance in monitoring cancer immunotherapy, arthritis progression, and brain tumor development through the detection of specific biomarkers. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in material design, signal stability, and clinical translation. The review examines current engineering solutions and emerging opportunities, particularly in the integration of artificial intelligence, multiplexed sensing, and the development of point-of-care diagnostics. These advances establish ratiometric afterglow luminescence as a powerful platform for next-generation biomedical imaging and disease monitoring systems.