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Cancer imaging using surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering nanoparticles
Stefan Harmsen1, Matthew A Wall1,2, Ruimin Huang1
1Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.
Nature Protocols
|July 8, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) nanoparticles for sensitive in vivo cancer imaging. This protocol details reproducible SERRS nanoparticle preparation for femtomolar detection limits, enabling clear cancer lesion delineation.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Imaging
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) nanoparticles offer unique spectral signatures and biocompatibility for in vivo cancer imaging.
- Current SERRS nanoparticle preparation methods can lead to significant variations in detection limits.
- Optimized contrast agents are crucial for advancing sensitive and accurate cancer detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an optimized, step-by-step protocol for reproducible SERRS nanoparticle synthesis.
- To achieve femtomolar (10^-15 M) limits of detection for enhanced sensitivity in cancer imaging.
- To demonstrate the application of these SERRS nanoprobes for intraoperative and preclinical cancer imaging.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of gold nanoparticles (60 nm core) encapsulated in a silica shell (15 nm) with embedded Raman reporters.
- Characterization of optical properties via UV/VIS and Raman spectroscopy.
- Assessment of physicochemical properties using transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis.
- Intravenous administration and Raman imaging in animal models for in vivo and ex vivo cancer detection.
Main Results:
- Reproducible SERRS nanoparticles with femtomolar detection limits were generated.
- Characterization confirmed the optical and physicochemical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles.
- Successful in vivo and ex vivo delineation of cancerous lesions was achieved without specific biomarker targeting.
- The protocol enables SERRS nanoparticle contrast-enhanced preclinical Raman imaging within approximately 96 hours.
Conclusions:
- The presented protocol provides a reliable method for generating high-performance SERRS nanoparticles.
- These SERRS nanoprobes are effective contrast agents for sensitive in vivo and ex vivo cancer imaging.
- The straightforward protocol facilitates the application of SERRS nanoparticles in biomedical research and clinical settings.
