A dual-modality hydrogen sulfide-specific probe integrating chemiluminescence with NIR fluorescence for targeted cancer imaging

Taking apart in numerous physiological and pathological activities, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been selected as an excellent target spot for the early diagnosis of cancer. So far, there are many mature probes that apply single optical imaging to monitor endogenous H2S. Nevertheless, a single modality is not an ideal method to afford accurate diagnostic information in comprehensive biological organisms. Herein, we developed a dual-modal imaging probe BWS. This designed probe showed a specific response to H2S with both chemiluminescence and NIR fluorescence light-up. The concurrence of fluorescence and chemiluminescence signal provided "double insurances" for highly accurate monitoring of H2S. Satisfactorily, this dual-modal imaging probe performed precise visualization of endogenous H2S in living cells and in vivo. We envisaged that this chemiluminescence/fluorescence real-time dual-modality strategy for H2S detection will expand and optimize the multimodal imaging methods for efficient diagnosis and treatment of cancer.