Volume 252, September 2026, 113791

Targeted imaging of superoxide anion with a near-infrared fluorescent probe for tumor precise diagnosis

Author links open overlay panelJun Zhang a b 1,Dan Li a b 1,Xiaoliang Ma c,Jinxin Wei a b,Huimin Wang a,Wangsheng Chen b,Fabiao Yu a d,Rui Wang a

• a

• NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Engineering Research Center for Hainan Bio-Smart Materials and Bio-Medical Devices, Key Laboratory of Hainan Functional Materials and Molecular Imaging, School of Life Sciences and Medical Technology, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China

• b

• Department of Radiology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Medical University Hainan Hospital), Haikou, 570311, China

• c

• Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China

• d

• Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Haikou Trauma, Key Laboratory of Hainan Trauma and Disaster Rescue, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 571199, China

Received 24 January 2026, Revised 26 March 2026, Accepted 13 April 2026, Available online 25 April 2026, Version of Record 27 April 2026.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dyepig.2026.113791

Highlights

• •A reaction-based NIR fluorescent probe was developed for selective O2.•- sensing.

• •Sensitive NIR turn-on detection of O2.•- is achieved via triflate cleavage activation

• •O2.•--triggered NIR fluorescence enables sensitive sensing in cells and tumors.

Abstract

Superoxide anion (O2•−) is a key reactive oxygen species involved in oxidative stress–related diseases and is typically overproduced in tumor cells, making it an important biomarker for cancer diagnosis. Herein, we report a near-infrared (NIR) turn-on fluorescent molecular probe, Cy- O2•−, for selective imaging of O2•− and precise tumor identification. Cy-O2•− is rationally designed based on a hemicyanine fluorophore, in which a trifluoromethanesulfonate group serves as a specific O2•−-responsive recognition unit. In its intact form, fluorescence is effectively suppressed by blocking the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) process. Upon reaction with O2•−, nucleophilic attack at the sulfonyl sulfur induces O–S bond cleavage, releasing the free hemicyanine fluorophore, thereby recovering the NIR fluorescence signal (∼742 nm). Cy-O2•− exhibits high sensitivity, excellent selectivity toward O2•− over other reactive species, and good biocompatibility. Cellular experiments demonstrate its capability to monitor endogenous and exogenous O2•− fluctuations. More importantly, in vivo imaging in tumor-bearing mouse models confirms precise tumor visualization, highlighting its potential for early tumor

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