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To overcome current limitations in photoimmunotherapy, such as insufficient tumor antigen generation and a subdued immune response, a novel photo‐/metallo dual‐mode immunotherapeutic agent (PMIA) is introduced for potent near‐infrared (NIR) light‐triggered cancer therapy. PMIA features a dumbbell‐like AuPt heterostructure decorated with starry Pt nanoclusters, meticulously engineered for enhancing plasmonic catalysis through multi‐dimensional regulation of Pt growth on Au nanorods. Under NIR laser exposure, end‐tipped Pt nanoclusters induce efficient electron‐hole spatial separation along the longitudinal axis, resulting in radial and axial electron distribution polarization, conferring unique anisotropic properties to PMIA. Additionally, starry Pt nanoclusters on the sides of Au nanorods augment the local electron enrichment field. Validated through finite‐difference time‐domain analysis and Raman scattering, this configuration fosters local electron enrichment, facilitating robust reactive oxygen species generation for potent photoimmunotherapy. Moreover, Pt nanoclusters facilitate Pt2+ ion release, instigating intranuclear DNA damage and inducing synergistic immunogenic cell death (ICD) for metalloimmunotherapy. Consequently, PMIA elicits abundant danger‐associated molecular patterns, promotes T cell infiltration, and triggers systemic immune responses, effectively treating primary and distant tumors, inhibiting metastasis in vivo. This study unveils a pioneering dual‐mode ICD amplification strategy driven by NIR light, synergistically integrating photoimmunotherapy and metalloimmunotherapy, culminating in potent cancer photometalloimmunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although molecular imaging probes have the potential to non-invasively diagnose a tumor, imaging probes that can detect a tumor and simultaneously identify tumor malignancy remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate a potassium ion (K+) sensitive dual-mode nanoprobe (KDMN) for non-invasive tumor imaging and malignancy identification, which operates via a cascaded 'AND' logic gate controlled by inputs of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence imaging (FI) signals. We encapsulate commercial K+ indicators into the hollow cavities of magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles, which are subsequently coated with a K+-selective membrane that exclusively permits the passage of K+ while excluding other cations. The KDMN can readily accumulate in tumors and enhance the MRI contrast after systemic administration. Spatial information of the tumor lesion is thus accessible via MRI and forms the first layer of the 'AND' gate. Meanwhile, the KDMN selectively captures K+ and prevents interference from other cations, triggering a K+-activated FI signal as the second layer of the 'AND' gate in the case of a malignant tumor with a high extracellular K+ level. This dual-mode imaging approach effectively eliminates false positive or negative diagnostic results and allows for non-invasive imaging of tumor malignancy with high sensitivity and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT A carbazole-based compound with intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) characteristics, 3,6-bis-((N-ethylcarbazole-3-)-propene-1-keto)-N-ethylcarbazole (BCzPCz) was synthesized by N-alkylation, acetylation and aldol condensation. BCzPCz was further confirmed by IR and 1 H NMR. The central N-ethylcarbazole was connected with two N-ethylcarbazole units through the propenone group in BCzPCz. N-ethylcarbazole and carbonyl groups were electron donors (D) and acceptors (A), respectively. The UV-vis absorption and fluorescence characteristics of BCzPCz were also investigated in different solvents. Solvatochromism was attributed to ICT complex formation in singlet excited state. Magnitude of the change in the dipole moment was 24.78 D according to Lippert-Mataga equation. Fluorescence of BCzPCz was significantly affected by pH and was quenched in acidic medium. Fluorescence quantum yield of BCzPCz was 0.516 in ethanol. Experimental results showed its potential use as a fluorescence probe and as two-photon absorption material. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgery remains an essential treatment for managing drug-resistant focal epilepsy, but its accessibility and efficacy are limited in patients without distinct structural abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Potassium ion (K + ), a critical marker for seizure-associated neuronal signaling, shows significant promise for designing sensors targeting hidden epileptic foci. However, existing sensors cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and lack the ability to specifically enrich and amplify K + signals in the brain with high temporal and spatial resolution. Here, an intravenously administered neuronal signal sorting and amplifying nanosensor (NSAN) is reported that combines real-time dynamic reversible K + fluorescence imaging with high-resolution structural MRI, enabling electroencephalogram-concordant imaging of MRI-negative epileptic foci. Guided by NSANs, minimally invasive surgery is successfully performed in both intrahippocampal kainic acid (KA) epilepsy model with foci confined to the ipsilateral hippocampus, and intraperitoneal KA model where foci are randomly distributed, resulting in sustained seizure control and cognitive improvement. These findings highlight the NSAN as a transformative tool for visualizing hidden epileptic foci, thereby broadening eligibility for minimally invasive and precision surgical intervention., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

A carbazole-based compound with intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) characteristics, 3,6-bis-((N-ethylcarbazole-3-)-propene-1-keto)-N-ethylcarbazole (BCzPCz) was synthesized by N-alkylation, acetylation and aldol condensation. BCzPCz was further confirmed by IR and (1)H NMR. The central N-ethylcarbazole was connected with two N-ethylcarbazole units through the propenone group in BCzPCz. N-ethylcarbazole and carbonyl groups were electron donors (D) and acceptors (A), respectively. The UV-vis absorption and fluorescence characteristics of BCzPCz were also investigated in different solvents. Solvatochromism was attributed to ICT complex formation in singlet excited state. Magnitude of the change in the dipole moment was 24.78 D according to Lippert-Mataga equation. Fluorescence of BCzPCz was significantly affected by pH and was quenched in acidic medium. Fluorescence quantum yield of BCzPCz was 0.516 in ethanol. Experimental results showed its potential use as a fluorescence probe and as two-photon absorption material., (Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)