Accurate visualization of tumor microenvironment is of great significance for personalized medicine. Here, we develop a near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescence/photoacoustic (FL/PA) dual‐mode molecular probe (denoted as NIR‐CE) for distinguishing tumors based on carboxylesterase (CE) level by an analyte‐induced molecular transformation (AIMT) strategy. The recognition moiety for CE activity is the acetyl unit of NIR‐CE, generating the pre‐product, NIR‐CE‐OH, which undergoes spontaneous hydrogen atom exchange between the nitrogen atoms in the indole group and the phenol hydroxyl group, eventually transforming into NIR‐CE‐H. In cellular experiments and in vivo blind studies, the human hepatoma cells and tumors with high level of CE were successfully distinguished by both NIR FL and PA imaging. Our findings provide a new molecular imaging strategy for personalized treatment guidance.

中文翻译：

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羧酸酯酶可激活分子探针，通过分析物诱导的分子转化指导个性化治疗


肿瘤微环境的准确可视化对于个体化医疗具有重要意义。在这里，我们开发了一种近红外（NIR）荧光/光声（FL/PA）双模式分子探针（表示为NIR-CE），用于通过分析物诱导的分子转化（AIMT）根据羧酸酯酶（CE）水平来区分肿瘤） 战略。 CE活性的识别部分是NIR-CE的乙酰基单元，生成预产物NIR-CE-OH，其在吲哚基团中的氮原子与酚羟基之间发生自发氢原子交换，最终转化为近红外-CE-H。在细胞实验和体内盲法研究中，通过NIR FL和PA成像成功区分了具有高CE水平的人肝癌细胞和肿瘤。我们的研究结果为个性化治疗指导提供了一种新的分子成像策略。