# NIR-II fluorescence in lung cancer: advancing precision diagnosis and image-guided therapy

## TL;DR

This review explores how NIR-II fluorescence can improve lung cancer diagnosis and treatment by offering better imaging and targeted therapies.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in NIR-II fluorescence for lung cancer theranostic applications.

## Key findings

- NIR-II fluorescence imaging provides deep tissue penetration and high resolution for lung cancer diagnostics.
- Recent advances include the development of NIR-II probes and integrated diagnostic-therapeutic platforms.
- Future directions focus on improving clinical translation and therapeutic precision in lung cancer.

## Abstract

Lung cancer ranks among the leading causes of cancer incidence and mortality worldwide. Conventional diagnostic and therapeutic approaches remain constrained by suboptimal sensitivity, exposure to ionizing radiation, and poor overall prognosis, driving efforts to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve clinical outcomes. Second near-infrared window (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging offers deep tissue penetration and high spatial resolution; accordingly, a wide array of NIR-II fluorescent probes, imaging systems, and photointerventional therapies have been developed. In this review, we summarize recent advances and applications of NIR-II in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment and discuss the design and future directions of integrated diagnostic-therapeutic (theranostic) platforms.