Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen-Targeted NIR Phototheranostics for Prostate Cancer

The evolution of targeted cancer theranostics has revolutionized personalized medicine by integrating diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has emerged as a key theranostic target in the context of prostate cancer, paving the way for the clinical approval of multiple drugs. However, the persistent challenge of off-target toxicity, which plagues both conventional and advanced treatment modalities such as targeted chemotherapy and radiotherapy, thus demands further innovation. Considering this critical issue, this review discusses the recent advances in the binary treatment techniques, i.e., phototherapies, that have the potential to circumvent the key concern of off-target toxicity associated with personalized chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Precisely, an up-to-date overview of the latest developments in the near-infrared (NIR)-based phototheranostic strategies for prostate cancer by targeting PSMA has been presented. Furthermore, we have discussed the associated particulars that require specific attention in enhancing the translational potential of phototheranostic techniques.