Work

Dendrimer-based fluorescent nanoplatforms for bioimaging from molecular design to cancer nanomedicine applications

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Fluorescence imaging (FLI) has become a real-time, non-invasive, high specificity and resolution technology in the field of cancer medicine. Optimizing the performance of fluorescent probes is crucial for advancing FLI. Conventional probes exhibit certain limitations, including restricted tissue penetration depth, inadequate targeting capability, and suboptimal biodistribution. However, dendrimer, with their controllable nanostructures, internal cavities and surface functional groups, provide an ideal platform for constructing high-performance fluorescent probes. Herein, we review the latest progress in dendrimer-based fluorescent nanoplatforms (DFLNs) such as dendrimer-intrinsic autofluorescent nanoplatforms, fluorophore-labeled dendrimer hybrids, and dendrimer-fluorescent nanoparticle complexes, with a focus on how these DFLNs have been designed as nanoplatforms for FLI-based different cancer nanomedicine applications including enhanced FLI, dual-modal imaging, and theranostics. This review also discusses the reasonable perspectives of DFLNs in areas such as tumor intraoperative navigation and treatment evaluation.

Source: Materials Today Advances

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtadv.2026.100782

Authors: Binghan Liu, Wenchao Liu, Ce Li, Yanjun Wang, Zhiming Zheng, Cong Song

Institutions: Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong First Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Dendrimers and Hyperbranched Polymers

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,790