Selective imaging and cancer cell death via pH switchable near-infrared fluorescence and photothermal effects

its maximized photothermal effects in the alkaline mitochondrial matrix. As far as we are aware, these probes not only offer the highest physiological acidity triggered NIR fluorescence enhancement as small molecules, but are also the first to specifically visualize and eradicate cancer cells by sensing their altered pH values in cellular organelles. Considering that a disordered pH in organelle lumen is a common characteristic of cancer cells, these theranostic probes hold the promise to be applied in image-guided tumor ablation over a wide range of tumor subtypes.