PET/NIR Fluorescence Bimodal Imaging for Targeted Tumor Detection.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Cancer diagnosis and treatment are challenged by late detection and incomplete tumor removal.
• Bimodal probes integrating positron emission tomography (PET) and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) offer potential for comprehensive cancer management.
• Targeting specific cancer cell mechanisms, like organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1B3 (OATP1B3), can improve imaging agent specificity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel PET/NIRF bimodal imaging agent, [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NPC, for colon cancer detection and surgical guidance.
• To assess the probe's specificity for colon cancer cells expressing OATP1B3.
• To investigate the in vitro and in vivo performance of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NPC for tumor imaging and resection.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of the PET/NIRF bimodal probe [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NPC by coupling DCDSTCY and DOTA via ethylenediamine and radiolabeling with gallium-68.
• In vitro evaluation of probe uptake in colon cancer cells.
• In vivo studies using orthotopic and subcutaneous colon tumor models in animals for PET/NIRF imaging and surgical guidance.

Main Results:

• The probe [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NPC demonstrated preferential uptake in colon cancer cells, attributed to OATP1B3 expression.
• PET/NIRF imaging confirmed high-contrast tumor accumulation and good biosafety of the probe.
• Successful resection of orthotopic and subcutaneous colon tumors was achieved under real-time NIRF guidance.

Conclusions:

• [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NPC is a promising bimodal imaging agent for sensitive, high-contrast detection of colon cancer.
• The probe facilitates real-time intraoperative surgical guidance for complete tumor resection.
• [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-NPC offers advanced PET/NIRF imaging capabilities for differentiating tumors from surrounding tissues.