Illuminating the Unseen and Targeting the Untreatable: Aggregation-Induced Emission Nanoparticles as Intelligent, Immune-Compatible Tools for Precision Cancer Theranostics

Abstract

The future of precision oncology hinges on tools capable of revealing the invisible and treating the intractable. Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) nanoparticles, uniquely characterized by intensified luminescence upon aggregation, have emerged as intelligent, immune-compatible platforms precisely suited for this dual mandate. These systems redefine how light interacts with matter and how therapy interfaces with immunity, offering unprecedented opportunities for real-time tumor detection, targeted therapy, and immunomodulation. This perspective outlines the conceptual foundations, engineering principles, and translational promise of AIE nanoparticles in precision cancer theranostics. By illuminating the unseen and enabling intervention where conventional strategies fail, AIE nanotechnology is poised to fundamentally reshape the landscape of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords

aggregation-induced emission (AIE) nanoparticles / cancer theranostics / immune-compatible nanomedicine / immunogenic cell death (ICD) / phototherpay

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2025 The Author(s). Aggregate published by SCUT, AIEI, and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.