Fig. 6

A CC-UCNPs for highly specific tumor imaging. Subfigure (i) shows a schematic diagram highlighting the preparation, function, and application of CC-UCNPs. Subfigure (ii) shows TEM analysis of uncoated UCNPs and CC-UCNPs. The cancer membrane was negatively stained with uranyl acetate. Adapted with permission from [54], (Copyright Wiley–VCH, 2016). B In vivo tumor visualization using CCM-coated nanoconjugates as MRI contrast agents. Here, subfigure (i) presents the results of T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with corresponding pseudocolor images of tumor-bearing mice. The images were captured at different time points following the intravenous injection of MSNPs equivalent to 2.5 µmol of Gd.3+. Subfigure (ii) demonstrates the tumor-to-background (T/B) and tumor-to-muscle (T/M) contrast ratios. Adapted with permission from [72], (Copyright Wiley–VCH, 2019). C Imaging and surgical navigation of glioma using CCM-coated lanthanide-doped nanoparticles. Subfigure (i) shows brightfield and near-infrared II (NIR-II) fluorescence images of mice with glioma before and after surgery. Additionally, subfigure (ii) displays an H&E-stained image of the whole brain containing the tumor, alongside a corresponding fluorescence microscope image of the tumor using DiO-labeled CC-LnNPs in green. Adapted with permission from [73], (Copyright Wiley–VCH, 2022)