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Non-invasive Optical Imaging of the Lymphatic Vasculature of a Mouse
Published on: March 8, 2013
Quantum dots in axillary lymph node mapping: biodistribution study in healthy mice.
Anne Robe1, Emilie Pic, Henri-Pierre Lassalle
1CRAN, Nancy-University, CNRS, Centre Alexis Vautrin, Avenue de Bourgogne, 54511 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy Cedex, France. a.robe@nancy.fnclcc.fr
BMC Cancer
|April 24, 2008
Summary
Quantum dots (QDs) enable rapid, minimally invasive sentinel lymph node imaging for breast cancer, bypassing limitations of current methods. This fluorescent imaging approach offers a safer alternative for detecting cancer spread.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Imaging
- Oncology
Background:
- Breast cancer incidence has doubled, making effective detection crucial.
- Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) replaced axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) but has limitations.
- Quantum dots (QDs) offer a potential alternative for SLNB imaging due to their unique optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of quantum dots (QDs) as fluorescent contrast agents for in vivo sentinel lymph node (SLN) imaging.
- To assess the safety and biodistribution of QDs following injection in a preclinical model.
Main Methods:
- CdSe/ZnS core/shell QDs emitting at 655 nm were injected subcutaneously into nude mice.
- In vivo fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy were used to track QDs in the axillary lymph node (ALN).
- QD levels in organs, plasma, urine, and feces were measured post-injection.
Main Results:
- QDs were detected in the ALN within 5 minutes to 24 hours post-injection.
- Maximum QD concentration in the ALN was observed at 60 minutes, representing 2.42% of the injected dose.
- No QDs were found in other tissues, plasma, urine, or feces, indicating minimal systemic distribution.
Conclusions:
- Fluorescent imaging of QDs allows for effective and rapid SLN detection.
- This minimally invasive method uses very low doses of QDs.
- QDs show promise for improving SLNB procedures in breast cancer diagnostics.
