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Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

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Tissue-simulating Phantoms for Assessing Potential Near-infrared Fluorescence Imaging Applications in Breast Cancer Surgery

Tissue-simulating Phantoms for Assessing Potential Near-infrared Fluorescence Imaging Applications in Breast Cancer Surgery

Published on: September 19, 2014

Tissue-Specific Near-Infrared Fluorescence Imaging.

Eric A Owens¹, Maged Henary¹, Georges El Fakhri²

¹Department of Chemistry, Center for Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Georgia State University , Atlanta, Georgia 30303, United States.

Accounts of Chemical Research

|August 27, 2016

Summary

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging offers real-time surgical guidance by highlighting tumors and vital tissues. Advances in targeted contrast agents are crucial for improving intraoperative navigation and patient outcomes.

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Area of Science:

Biomedical Imaging
Optical Engineering
Nanomedicine

Background:

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence light (650-900 nm) provides high specificity in clinical imaging due to minimal tissue autofluorescence and scattering.
Current preoperative imaging modalities like SPECT and PET lack real-time, targeted delineation capabilities compared to NIR fluorophores.
NIR imaging's clinical adoption is hindered by the limited availability of effective contrast agents for real-time intraoperative guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the development of targeted contrast agents for near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging.
To highlight the importance of defining both tumor margins and healthy vital tissues during surgery.
To discuss strategies for creating effective NIR imaging agents with high brightness, solubility, biocompatibility, and targetability.

Main Methods:

Exploration of three strategic targeting approaches: passive (EPR effect), active (biodistribution), and activatable (stimulus-responsive).
Leveraging advances in nanomedicine and bioimaging to develop novel contrast agents.
Utilizing spectrally distinct fluorophores for simultaneous visualization of tumors and vital tissues.

Main Results:

Nanomedicine and bioimaging advances are enabling the development of targeted NIR contrast agents.
Tissue-specific contrast agents can provide real-time intraoperative navigation and image-guided therapy.
A diverse library of fluorophores exists, offering improved intraoperative success and patient prognosis.

Conclusions:

Optimizing NIR contrast agents is essential for precise surgical navigation and targeted therapy.
Development of agents that illuminate both diseased and healthy tissues in real-time is a key goal.
Targeted NIR fluorescence imaging holds significant promise for enhancing surgical outcomes and patient recovery.