Current Strategies of Photoacoustic Imaging Assisted Cancer Theragnostics toward Clinical Studies

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) has made great advances in availing the benefits for theragnostics with noninvasive, nonionizing and high-resolution features. However, PAI effectively visualizing tumors for the clinical practice is still lacking investigation. This review describes various integrated diagnostic strategies involving PAI for joint multimodel imaging combined with innovative contrast agents in five common cancer types. PAI combined multifunctional contrast agents in a second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000–1700 nm) biological window, providing unprecedented sensitivity and translatability. We summarize the state-of-art status of PAI in the diagnosis of different types of cancers from ex vivo samples to in vivo humans. The detailed elucidation of the up-to-date advanced material science in NIR-II and versatile PAI-guided theragnostics is reviewed toward preclinical studies. Future perspective directions to establish all-in-one strategies to boost the clinical translation are highlighted.