Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Nanoparticles for Multiplexed Imaging of Bladder Cancer Tissue Permeability and...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Bladder cancer exhibits high recurrence rates, often due to incomplete transurethral resection.
• Current cystoscopes struggle to detect invisible lesions, leading to inadequate tumor removal.
• Improved diagnostic tools are crucial for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a surface-enhanced Raman nanoparticle and endoscope system for classifying bladder tissue.
• To assess both active (antibody-based) and passive (tissue permeability-based) nanoparticle targeting mechanisms.
• To enhance the detection and resection of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.

Main Methods:

• Ex vivo human bladder tissue samples were topically treated with nanoparticles.
• Nanoparticles targeted specific bladder tumor proteins (CD47, Carbonic Anhydrase 9) or utilized tissue permeability.
• Multiplexed molecular imaging and receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC AUC) were employed.

Main Results:

• The system achieved a high diagnostic accuracy with an ROC AUC of 0.93 for multiplexed imaging.
• Passively targeted nanoparticles also demonstrated excellent classification performance (ROC AUC of 0.93).
• Passive targeting resulted in 5-fold deeper penetration and 3.3-fold higher tumor binding compared to normal tissue.

Conclusions:

• The nanoparticle system shows significant promise for improving bladder cancer detection and resection.
• Passive nanoparticle targeting leverages an enhanced surface permeability and retention effect in bladder tumors.
• This technology could overcome limitations of current cystoscopy for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.