Direct validation of aptamers as powerful tools to image solid tumor

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Molecular Imaging
• Cancer Diagnostics

Background:

• Accurate visualization of cancer cells is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
• Tumor markers like mucin1 (MUC1) are key targets for cancer-specific imaging probes.
• Current antibody-based imaging has limitations in penetrating complex tumor structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the tumor labeling potential of an anti-MUC1 aptamer in a 3D cancer model.
• To compare the efficacy of anti-MUC1 aptamers versus anti-MUC1 antibodies for cancer cell visualization.
• To assess aptamers as a potential replacement for antibodies in cancer imaging and surgery.

Main Methods:

• In vitro investigation of anti-MUC1 aptamers and antibodies in a 3D breast cancer cell model (MCF-7 spheroids).
• Visualization of fluorescently labeled aptamers and antibodies using fluorescence imaging.
• Comparison of probe penetration and internalization within the 3D tumor models.

Main Results:

• Anti-MUC1 antibodies only bound to cancer cells on the spheroid surface.
• Anti-MUC1 aptamers demonstrated penetration into the 3D tumor models.
• Aptamers were internalized into the cancer cells within the spheroids.

Conclusions:

• Aptamers offer superior penetration and internalization into 3D cancer models compared to antibodies.
• Aptamers' properties (low immunogenicity, chemical modifiability) make them advantageous for cancer imaging.
• Aptamers hold promise for revolutionizing cancer diagnosis and intraoperative interventions by enabling specific cancer cell detection.