近红外（NIR）光因其深层组织穿透性、低自发荧光、弱组织散射和非侵入性而非常适合恶性疾病的光学成像和无线光疗。稀土纳米粒子（RENP）由于其优异的物理和化学性质，是有前途的近红外响应材料。稀土元素主族镧系元素的4f电子亚壳层具有丰富的能级结构。这有利于广谱光到光的转换以及光到其他形式能量的转换，例如热能和化学能。此外，表面丰富的可负载和可修饰位点为RENPs的功能扩展提供了有利的条件。在这篇综述中，作者系统地讨论了RENP对近红外光响应的主要过程和机制，并总结了其在光学成像、光热疗法、光动力疗法、光免疫疗法、光遗传学和光响应药物释放中应用的最新进展。最后，考虑了 RENP 在近红外激活下的光学成像和无线光疗中应用的挑战和机遇。© 2023 作者。 《先进科学》由 Wiley-VCH GmbH 出版。

Near-infrared (NIR) light is well-suited for the optical imaging and wireless phototherapy of malignant diseases because of its deep tissue penetration, low autofluorescence, weak tissue scattering, and non-invasiveness. Rare earth nanoparticles (RENPs) are promising NIR-responsive materials, owing to their excellent physical and chemical properties. The 4f electron subshell of lanthanides, the main group of rare earth elements, has rich energy-level structures. This facilitates broad-spectrum light-to-light conversion and the conversion of light to other forms of energy, such as thermal and chemical energies. In addition, the abundant loadable and modifiable sites on the surface offer favorable conditions for the functional expansion of RENPs. In this review, the authors systematically discuss the main processes and mechanisms underlying the response of RENPs to NIR light and summarize recent advances in their applications in optical imaging, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, photoimmunotherapy, optogenetics, and light-responsive drug release. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for the application of RENPs in optical imaging and wireless phototherapy under NIR activation are considered.© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.