NIR-II-Absorbing NDI Polymer with Superior Penetration Depth for Enhanced Photothermal Therapy Efficiency of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Introduction Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) have a high morbidity and mortality rate, and is difficult to cure and prone to recurrence when it has already developed. Therefore, early detection and efficient treatment of HCC is necessary.Methods In this study, we synthesized a novel NDI polymer with uniform size, long-term stability, and high near-infrared two-zone (NIR-II) absorption efficiency, which can greatly enhance the effect of photothermal therapy (PTT) after intravenous injection into Huh-7-tumor bearing mice.Results The in vitro and in vivo studies showed that NDI polymer exhibited excellent NIR-guided PTT treatment, and the antitumor effect was approximately 88.5%, with obvious antimetastatic effects.Conclusion This study developed an NDI polymer-mediated integrated diagnostic and therapeutic modality for NIR-II fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy.