Abstract: Phototherapy, mainly including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), has emerged as a promising non-invasive alternative due to its precision and minimal side effects. Compared with inorganic photosensitive materials, organic photosensitive materials offer advantages in terms of biocompatibility, structural tunability and precise structural purity. However, most clinically approved photosensitizers require activation by visible light (400~700 nm) and the limited tissue penetration depth severely restricts their therapeutic efficacy. In contrast, near-infrared light (NIR, 700~2500 nm) exhibits superior tissue penetration capacity and causes less damage to healthy tissues, making the optimal optical window for biomedical applications. Therefore, the development of high-performance NIR-absorbing organic photosensitive materials is significance. This article systematically reviews the molecular design, performance optimization, and biological application strategies of near-infrared organic photosensitive materials, providing a forward-looking perspective for the construction of a new generation of integrated diagnosis and treatment phototherapy platform.

Key words: Organic luminescent materials, Aggregation-induced emission, Aggregation-induced emission materials, Near-infrared light