Specific and sensitive tumor imaging using biostable oligonucleotide aptamer probes.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical imaging
• Molecular biology
• Oncology

Background:

• Current tumor imaging lacks tumor type specificity, hindering targeted therapies.
• Developing specific imaging agents is crucial for diverse cancer treatment responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create and evaluate CD30-specific oligonucleotide aptamer probes for in vivo tumor imaging.
• To assess the sensitivity, specificity, and biodistribution of these novel probes.

Main Methods:

• Conjugating CD30-specific aptamers to a near-infrared reporter (IRD800CW).
• Administering probes systemically to mice with CD30-positive and CD30-negative lymphoma xenografts.
• Performing whole-body imaging, analyzing tumor signal, and confirming specificity via immunostaining.

Main Results:

• RNA-based aptamer probes selectively imaged CD30-positive lymphoma in vivo.
• Biostable ssDNA aptamer probes showed 4-5 fold higher signal in CD30-positive tumors.
• Imaging signal persisted up to 24 hours with ssDNA probes, with rapid urinary/intestinal clearance.

Conclusions:

• Oligonucleotide aptamer probes enable tumor type-specific imaging with high sensitivity.
• These probes demonstrate potential for clinical applications in cancer diagnostics.
• The development of biostable ssDNA aptamers enhances imaging duration and signal intensity.