Hydrogen Sulfide-Responsive MRI Probe for Imaging Colon Cancer in Mice

Yue Sun ¹, Xingyue Fan ¹, Huiyi Liu ¹

⁰State Key Laboratory for Chemo and Biosensing, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, P. R. China.

Analytical Chemistry +

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April 25, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Researchers developed a novel hydrogen sulfide-responsive magnetic probe (HRMP) for sensitive and specific imaging of colon cancer. This probe enables enhanced detection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in deep tumor tissues, aiding early diagnosis.

Area Of Science

Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Biology
Oncology

Background

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a key signaling molecule overexpressed in colon cancer.
Sensitive and specific imaging of H2S in deep colon cancer tissues presents a significant challenge for early diagnosis.

Purpose Of The Study

To develop a H2S-responsive magnetic probe (HRMP) for highly sensitive and specific imaging of colon cancer.
To overcome the limitations of current imaging techniques for deep colon cancer tissues.

Main Methods

Synthesized HRMP using superparamagnetic iron oxide and Mn-porphyrin, coated with a H2S-responsive polymer.
Incorporated an ortho azide group for specific H2S response and tuned Mn-porphyrin to iron oxide ratio for sensitivity.
Evaluated HRMP's performance in HCT116 colon cancer models.

Main Results

HRMP demonstrated swift reaction to H2S within 2 hours, inducing changes in T2 relaxation time.
Achieved a high sensitivity with a detection limit as low as 8.7 μM.
Generated distinct negative contrast at the tumor site in HCT116 colon cancer studies.

Conclusions

HRMP exhibits high sensitivity and specificity for H2S detection in colon cancer.
The developed probe shows significant potential for in vivo imaging of colon cancer.
HRMP offers a promising tool for the early diagnosis of colon tumors.