Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 26, 2025
Fluorescence Molecular Tomography for In Vivo Imaging of Glioblastoma Xenografts
Published on: April 26, 2018
Corrigendum to "Protoporphyrin IX tracer fluorescence modulation for improved brain tumor cell lines visualization"
Deborah Piffaretti1, Floriana Burgio2, Marcus Thelen3
1Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Cantonale Ospedaliero, Torricella-Taverne, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Strategies to enhance protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence are crucial for fluorescence image guided surgical resection (FIGR) of high grade gliomas (HGGs). This study identified factors affecting PpIX accumulation and demonstrated a pharmacological approach to improve fluorescence intensity in glioblastoma cells.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Surgical Innovation
Context:
- Fluorescence image guided surgical resection (FIGR) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) and protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) aids high grade glioma (HGG) resection.
- Variable PpIX fluorescence intensity can compromise surgical precision and efficacy.
- Previous work linked epidermal growth factor receptor expression to PpIX fluorescence variability.
Purpose:
- To investigate factors influencing PpIX accumulation in glioblastoma cells.
- To identify pharmacological treatments that enhance PpIX fluorescence in glioblastoma cells with low signal.
- To elucidate the interplay between PpIX metabolic clearance and cellular efflux.
Summary:
- Serum presence and cellular confluence negatively impact PpIX accumulation in U87 glioblastoma cells.
- PpIX fluorescence is modulated by ferrochelatase (FECH), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2).
- Genistein (ABCG2 inhibitor), deferoxamine (FECH inhibitor), and tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP, HO-1 inhibitor) were used to modulate PpIX levels. A combination therapy effectively increased PpIX accumulation and fluorescence.
Impact:
- Demonstrates a pharmacological strategy to enhance PpIX fluorescence in glioblastoma cells.
- Potential for improved tumor cell detection during FIGR of HGGs and low grade gliomas (LGGs).
- Aims to increase the sensitivity of tumor tracing for more precise surgical interventions.
