Structure-Inherent Tumor-Targeted IR-783 for Near-Infrared Fluorescence-Guided Photothermal Therapy

Yoonbin Park1,2, Min Ho Park3, Hoon Hyun1,2

  • 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun 58128, Republic of Korea.

Insights

IR-783, a near-infrared dye, effectively targets and accumulates in colorectal tumors. It converts light to heat, inducing cancer cell death, showing promise for photothermal therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Oncology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • IR-783 is a near-infrared (NIR) heptamethine cyanine dye used for tumor imaging.
  • It exhibits good water solubility and low cytotoxicity.
  • The tumor-targeting mechanism of IR-783 requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate IR-783 as a tumor-targeted photothermal agent for colorectal cancer.
  • To assess its efficacy in human colorectal cancer xenografts.

Main Methods:

  • Intravenous administration of IR-783 in HT-29 colorectal cancer xenografts.
  • Evaluation of subcellular localization and tumor accumulation.
  • Assessment of NIR light-to-heat conversion and cancer cell death induction in vitro and in vivo.

Main Results:

  • IR-783 demonstrated subcellular localization in HT-29 cancer cells.
  • Preferential accumulation of IR-783 in HT-29 xenografted tumors was observed 24 hours post-administration.
  • IR-783 efficiently converted NIR light into heat, inducing cancer cell death.

Conclusions:

  • Water-soluble anionic IR-783 functions as a bifunctional agent for targeted imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT) of colorectal cancer.
  • IR-783 offers a promising approach for developing biocompatible, hydrophilic, and tumor-targetable PTT agents.
  • This study highlights a simple and effective strategy for targeted cancer phototherapy using IR-783.

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