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Intraoperative Identification of Liver Cancer Microfoci Using a Targeted Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe for
Chaoting Zeng1,2, Wenting Shang2,3, Kun Wang2,3
1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China.
Abstract:
Difficulties in the highly sensitive detection of tumour microfoci represent a critical obstacle toward improved surgical intervention in liver cancer. Conventional preoperative imaging methods and surgeons' subjective experience are limited by their inability to effectively detect tumour lesions measuring less than 2 mm; however, intraoperative fluorescence molecular imaging may overcome this limitation. Here, we synthesised an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) highly loaded with indocyanine green (ICG) dye that could accurately delineate liver cancer margins and provide excellent tumour-to-normal tissue contrast intraoperatively. The increased ICG loading capacity and tumour specificity enabled the identification of residual microtumours and satellite lesions measuring less than 1 mm in living mice. Histological analysis validated the sensitivity and accuracy of this approach. We believe this technique utilising a new fluorescent nanoprobe with intraoperative optical imaging may offer a more sensitive and accurate method for liver cancer resection guidance, resulting in better surgical outcomes.
Insights
A novel fluorescent nanoprobe accurately detects liver cancer microtumors smaller than 1mm, improving surgical guidance. This advancement in intraoperative imaging enhances tumor margin delineation and aims for better patient outcomes in liver cancer surgery.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Accurate detection of small liver cancer microfoci (<2mm) is challenging with conventional methods.
- Limitations of current preoperative imaging and surgeon experience hinder effective detection of minimal residual disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive intraoperative imaging method for liver cancer.
- To improve the delineation of tumour margins and detection of micro-metastases during surgery.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-conjugated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs).
- High loading of indocyanine green (ICG) dye into MSNs for fluorescence imaging.
- Evaluation of the RGD-MSN-ICG nanoprobe in detecting liver cancer microtumours in vivo.
Main Results:
- The RGD-MSN-ICG nanoprobe demonstrated high sensitivity in detecting liver cancer lesions less than 1mm in mice.
- Achieved excellent tumour-to-normal tissue contrast during intraoperative fluorescence imaging.
- Histological analysis confirmed the accuracy and sensitivity of the nanoprobe for microtumour identification.
Conclusions:
- Intraoperative fluorescence molecular imaging with the novel RGD-MSN-ICG nanoprobe offers a sensitive approach for liver cancer resection guidance.
- This technique has the potential to significantly improve surgical outcomes by enabling precise identification of residual disease.
- The developed fluorescent nanoprobe represents a promising tool for enhancing the precision of liver cancer surgery.
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