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Updated: Nov 6, 2025
Non-invasive Optical Imaging of the Lymphatic Vasculature of a Mouse
Published on: March 8, 2013
Nanoprobes-Assisted Multichannel NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging-Guided Resection and Photothermal Ablation of Lymph
Xiaoxiao Fan1,2, Yirun Li1, Zhe Feng2
1Department of General Surgery Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital School of Medicine Zhejiang University Hangzhou 310000 P. R. China.
Abstract:
Lymph node metastasis is a major metastatic route of cancer and significantly influences the prognosis of cancer patients. Radical lymphadenectomy is crucial for a successful surgery. However, iatrogenic normal organ injury during lymphadenectomy is a troublesome complication. Here, this paper reports a kind of organic nanoprobes (IDSe-IC2F nanoparticles (NPs)) with excellent second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence and photothermal properties. IDSe-IC2F NPs can effectively label lymph nodes and helped achieve high-contrast lymphatic imaging. More importantly, by jointly using IDSe-IC2F nanoparticles and other kinds of nanoparticles with different excitation/emission properties, a multichannel NIR-II fluorescence imaging modality and imaging-guided lymphadenectomy is proposed. With the help of this navigation system, the iatrogenic injury can be largely avoided. In addition, NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided photothermal treatment ("hot" strategy) can ablate those metastatic lymph nodes which are difficult to deal with during resection ("cold" strategy). Nanoprobes-assisted and multichannel NIR-II fluorescence imaging-guided "cold" and "hot" treatment strategy provides a general new basis for the future precision surgery.
Insights
New organic nanoprobes enable precise, image-guided lymph node surgery. This advanced imaging and treatment strategy minimizes organ injury and effectively targets metastatic lymph nodes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Lymph node metastasis is a primary pathway for cancer spread, significantly impacting patient prognosis.
- Radical lymphadenectomy is essential for cancer surgery, but iatrogenic injury to normal organs is a common complication.
- Accurate identification and removal of metastatic lymph nodes are critical for effective cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel organic nanoprobes for enhanced lymph node imaging and surgical guidance.
- To establish a multichannel near-infrared-II (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging modality for lymphadenectomy.
- To integrate imaging-guided photothermal therapy with surgical resection for comprehensive metastatic lymph node management.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of IDSe-IC2F organic nanoprobes with NIR-II fluorescence and photothermal properties.
- Development of a multichannel NIR-II fluorescence imaging system using combinable nanoparticles.
- Application of the imaging system for guiding lymphadenectomy and photothermal ablation of metastatic lymph nodes.
Main Results:
- IDSe-IC2F nanoprobes provided high-contrast lymphatic imaging.
- The multichannel NIR-II imaging system successfully guided lymphadenectomy, significantly reducing iatrogenic injury.
- Combined imaging-guided photothermal therapy and surgical resection effectively ablated metastatic lymph nodes.
Conclusions:
- Nanoprobe-assisted, multichannel NIR-II fluorescence imaging provides a novel navigation system for precision lymphadenectomy.
- The integrated "cold" (resection) and "hot" (photothermal ablation) strategy offers a new basis for advanced cancer surgery.
- This approach holds promise for improving surgical outcomes and minimizing complications in cancer treatment.
