Potential Probes for Targeted Intraoperative Fluorescence Imaging in Gastric Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Innovation
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Gastric cancer (GC) presents a significant global health challenge with high mortality rates.
• Current surgical procedures for GC, like radical gastrectomy, lack methods to precisely differentiate malignant from healthy tissues and metastatic lymph nodes.
• Indiscriminate lymph node removal increases surgical risks and prolongs patient recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review novel fluorescent targeted agents for gastric cancer detection.
• To explore agents targeting tumor markers, microenvironment, and metabolic features.
• To assess the potential of these agents in enhancing precision during robotic gastrectomy.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of fluorescent agents for gastric cancer.
• Analysis of agents targeting specific GC biomarkers and the tumor microenvironment.
• Evaluation of agents for metabolic feature recognition.

Main Results:

• Development of targeted fluorescent agents offers improved visualization beyond non-targeted agents like indocyanine green (ICG).
• These agents show potential for selective binding to tumor tissue and metastatic lymph nodes.
• Targeting tumor microenvironment and metabolic features provides new avenues for detection.

Conclusions:

• Targeted fluorescent agents represent a significant advancement for intraoperative visualization in gastric cancer surgery.
• Enhanced precision in identifying cancerous tissue and lymph nodes can optimize radical gastrectomy outcomes.
• These innovative tools hold promise for improving clinical recovery and reducing complications in gastric cancer patients.