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Published on: September 13, 2022
Ratiometric pH-responsive SERS strategy for glioma boundary determination
Guohui Yang1, Kaizhi Zhang2, Xiaozhang Qu3
1China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130033, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, PR China.
This study introduces a novel pH-sensing chip using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to rapidly identify glioma boundaries. This technology aids surgeons in precisely distinguishing tumor tissue from healthy brain, improving surgical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Glioma, a common brain tumor, presents surgical challenges due to its invasive nature and indistinct boundaries.
- Accurate demarcation of glioma margins is crucial for maximizing tumor resection and minimizing damage to healthy brain tissue.
- Tumor microenvironment acidification, linked to glioma metabolism, offers a potential marker for identifying tumor boundaries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid, non-invasive method for identifying glioma boundaries.
- To utilize a pH-responsive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) strategy for accurate tumor demarcation.
- To provide surgeons with a tool for improved intraoperative navigation and decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a sensing chip using self-assembled silver nanoparticles.
- Immobilization of a pH-responsive SERS reporter, 4-mercaptopyridine (4-MPY), onto the chip.
- Measurement of interstitial fluid pH using the SERS chip to detect changes indicative of glioma invasion.
Main Results:
- The SERS reporter (4-MPY) exhibited characteristic peak ratio changes corresponding to different pH levels.
- The developed strategy allowed for the rapid determination of local pH in interstitial fluids.
- The technique demonstrated potential for accurately distinguishing glioma boundaries based on pH variations.
Conclusions:
- The ratiometric pH-responsive SERS strategy offers a promising approach for rapid and accurate identification of glioma boundaries.
- This non-invasive technique can aid surgeons in maximizing tumor removal while preserving healthy brain tissue.
- The developed SERS chip shows potential as an intraoperative navigation tool, surpassing traditional pathological detection in speed and simplicity.
