Cyanine-induced apoptosis for cancer therapy

Apoptosis is a programmed cell death characterized by cell rounding, chromatin condensation and clumping, cytoplasmic collapse, and the formation of apoptotic bodies. Recently, increasing scientific research has disclosed the close relationship between apoptosis and cyanine. Cyanine, due to its excellent fluorescent characteristics, is used in constructing vital fluorescent cores for fluorescent probes. It has been extensively utilized in targeted labeling for growing cells and tumor phototherapy. Cyanine-derived compounds have provided new approaches for treating different cancers by inducing tumor cell apoptosis. This review introduces the molecular mechanism of apoptosis, essential apoptosis-related proteins, and the pathways related to tumor cell apoptosis. Furthermore, it systematically discusses the function of cyanine in cancer therapy by inducing apoptosis. A deeper understanding of cyanine-induced apoptosis may offer new options for cancer treatment and new strategies for developing and utilizing cyanine.