Citation: Hang Liu, Qian Sun, Mengxi Dong, Xiaoqing Wang, Zhipeng Liu. A covalent targeted small-molecule probe for fluorescence and photoacoustic dual-modality imaging of Cu(Ⅰ) in tumors[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(7): 111655. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111655 shu

A covalent targeted small-molecule probe for fluorescence and photoacoustic dual-modality imaging of Cu(Ⅰ) in tumors

Hang Liu ^a ,
Qian Sun ^{a, b} ,
Mengxi Dong ^a ,
Xiaoqing Wang ^{a, *,} ,
Zhipeng Liu ^{a, *,}

a.
College of Science, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
b.
Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China

xqwang@njfu.edu.cn

zpliu@njfu.edu.cn

Received Date: 1 June 2025
Revised Date: 29 July 2025
Accepted Date: 30 July 2025
Available Online: 31 July 2025

Figures(6)

Copper dysregulation is a critical factor in tumorigenesis and cancer therapy, underscoring the need for in vivo Cu(Ⅰ) imaging in tumors to elucidate its pathological roles. However, developing molecular probes for high-sensitivity and high-resolution in vivo Cu(Ⅰ) imaging remains a significant challenge. Herein, we report a covalently targeted small-molecule probe for dual-modality fluorescence and photoacoustic (PA) imaging of Cu(Ⅰ) in tumors. This probe exhibits highly selective near-infrared fluorescence enhancement and a ratiometric PA response upon coordination with Cu(Ⅰ). Furthermore, it enables precise tumor targeting and sustained imaging through specific recognition and covalent anchoring to the neutral cholesterol ester hydrolase 1 (NCEH1) protein. In vivo experiments demonstrate its capability for dynamic tracking of Cu(Ⅰ) in tumors with high sensitivity via fluorescence imaging and micro resolution via ratiometric PA imaging. We anticipate this Cu(Ⅰ)-responsive dual-modality probe with targeted anchoring capabilities will be a powerful tool for investigating Cu(Ⅰ) dynamics and transport in tumors, thereby deepening our understanding of pathological roles of Cu(Ⅰ) in cancer biology.
- Molecule probes,
- Fluorescence imaging,
- Photoacoustic imaging,
- Copper homeostasis,
- Tumor
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