Near-infrared fluorescent molecular probes with cetuximab in the in vivo fluorescence imaging for epithelial ovarian cancer.

J Ovarian Res

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People's Hospital, No. 11 Xizhimen South Str., Xicheng District, Beijing, 100044, China.

Published: November 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is effective for guiding surgery, and the study focuses on creating a tumor-specific fluorescent probe using cetuximab, which targets the EGFR prevalent in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).
  • The research involved assessing EGFR levels in EOC using a xenograft model and employing the cetuximab-Cy7 probe for in vivo imaging, with control groups for comparison.
  • Results showed high EGFR expression in EOC tissues, correlating with favorable outcomes, and confirmed that cetuximab-Cy7 effectively detected tumors, suggesting an optimal imaging window of 24-96 hours post-injection.

Article Abstract

Background: Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is an excellent choice for image-guided surgery due to its simple operation and non-invasiveness. Developing tumor-specific fluorescent molecular probes is key to fluorescence imaging-guided surgery. EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) is closely related to the proliferation and growth of tumor cells and is highly expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The study aims to construct a NIR fluorescent molecular probe using cetuximab (an EGFR monoclonal antibody) and investigate its feasibility for targeting EOC in vivo through fluorescence imaging.

Methods: We determined the expression of EGFR in EOC. NIR fluorescent molecular probe with cetuximab (cetuximab-Cy7) was chemically engineered and identified. The subcutaneous xenografted tumor model of EOC was induced using SKOV3-Luc cell line with positive expression of EGFR. Cetuximab-Cy7 was used for in vivo fluorescence imaging, and phosphate-buffered saline, free Cy7 dye and mouse isotype immunoglobulin G-Cy7 were used as controls. NIRF imaging system was performed to study the distribution and targeting of the probes. Tumors were imaged in situ and ex vivo, and fluorescent intensity was quantified. Resected specimens were analyzed to confirm diagnosis, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to identify EGFR expression.

Results: EGFR expression was increased in EOC tissues than fallopian tube tissues. The high expression of EGFR was significantly correlated with well-differentiation, residual lesions ≤ 1 cm, no recurrence and increased survival. NIRF imaging showed that the cetuximab-Cy7 enabled detection of tumor lesions in EOC-bearing mice with the optimal dose of 30 µg. The suitable imaging time window may be 24-96 h post-injection. Ex vivo fluorescence imaging indicated that fluorescent signal was mainly detected in the tumor and the lung. IHC results confirmed that xenografts were EGFR positive.

Conclusion: Cetuximab-Cy7 can specifically target the tumors of EOC xenografted nude mice. This research lays the foundation for future studies on EOC surgery navigation.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11566390PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13048-024-01547-5DOI Listing

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