The development of optical theranostics has brought new requirements for the diagnostic and therapeutic properties of optical theranostics agents (OTAs) in recent years. Inorganic persistent luminescence materials (IPLMs) have garnered considerable attention owing to their unique persistent luminescence (PersL). IPLMs offer unique advantages in diagnosis and treatment because of this PersL property, making them ideal candidates for optical theranostic applications. For example, using PersL for bioimaging and biosensing can avoid autofluorescence interference and provide extremely high detection sensitivity. PersL can be used as in vivo nanolights to continuously activate the photosensitizer for prolonged treatment. In addition, the theranostic applications of IPLMs have been substantially expanded by combining advanced features such as specific targeting, multimodal imaging, and drug delivery. In this review, we first introduce the current development in OTAs, basic concept of IPLMs, and IPLMs’ characteristics as OTAs. Subsequently, we summarize the recent research progress in the design, synthesis, and surface engineering of IPLMs from the perspective of theranostic applications. Next, we describe the research on the application of IPLMs in bioimaging, therapy, and biosensing, and discuss the current status of toxicological studies on IPLMs. Finally, we provide our perspective on the prospects and challenges in this rapidly developing field.

中文翻译：

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无机持久发光材料：新兴光学治疗诊断剂

近年来光学治疗诊断学的发展对光学治疗诊断剂（OTA）的诊断和治疗性能提出了新的要求。无机持久发光材料（IPLM）由于其独特的持久发光（PersL）而引起了广泛的关注。由于这种 PersL 特性，IPLM 在诊断和治疗方面具有独特的优势，使其成为光学治疗诊断应用的理想选择。例如，使用PersL进行生物成像和生物传感可以避免自发荧光干扰并提供极高的检测灵敏度。PersL 可用作体内纳米光，持续激活光敏剂以实现长期治疗。此外，通过结合特异性靶向、多模态成像和药物输送等先进功能，IPLM 的治疗诊断应用得到了大幅扩展。在这篇综述中，我们首先介绍了OTA的发展现状、IPLM的基本概念以及IPLM作为OTA的特点。随后，我们从治疗诊断应用的角度总结了IPLM的设计、合成和表面工程的最新研究进展。接下来，我们介绍IPLM在生物成像、治疗和生物传感方面的应用研究，并讨论IPLM毒理学研究的现状。最后，我们对这个快速发展的领域的前景和挑战提出了我们的看法。