EWS-FLI1-targeting peptide identifies Ewing sarcoma tumor boundaries and lymph node metastasis via near-infrared...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Molecular Imaging

Background:

• Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a highly aggressive pediatric cancer.
• Current diagnostic tools for ES are limited, hindering timely treatment.
• The EWS-FLI1 (E/F) fusion protein is a specific biomarker for ES.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a targeted near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe for detecting the EWS-FLI1 (E/F) fusion protein.
• To evaluate the probe's efficacy in identifying Ewing sarcoma (ES) and metastases in vivo.
• To assess the probe's potential for early diagnosis and surgical guidance in ES.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a novel NIR fluorescent probe, CS2-N-E9R.
• In vitro assessment of probe binding affinity to the EWS-FLI1 (E/F) protein.
• In vivo evaluation of CS2-N-E9R in animal models for imaging ES and lymph node metastases.

Main Results:

• The CS2-N-E9R probe demonstrated specific and high binding affinity to the EWS-FLI1 (E/F) protein.
• In vivo studies confirmed the probe's ability to identify ES tumor boundaries and lymph node metastases.
• The probe functioned effectively within a complex biological environment.

Conclusions:

• CS2-N-E9R is a promising molecularly targeted NIR fluorescent probe for Ewing sarcoma (ES).
• This probe facilitates early diagnosis and provides crucial surgical guidance for ES.
• NIR imaging with CS2-N-E9R offers a novel approach for managing pediatric ES.