Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 18, 2025
Tissue-simulating Phantoms for Assessing Potential Near-infrared Fluorescence Imaging Applications in Breast Cancer Surgery
Published on: September 19, 2014
NIR-II Fluorescence Imaging-Guided Combinatorial Therapy of Breast Cancer Using ICG/Chelerythrine-Loaded
Siyi Lan1,2, Ye Wang3, Shengnan Zhang1,2
1Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau SAR 999078, China.
Abstract:
Breast cancer remains a major global health challenge. Great efforts have been made to develop advanced theranostic platforms for breast cancer. A critical limitation of the current approaches is insufficient tumor accumulation. To address this, we developed AS1411 aptamer-functionalized liposomes coloaded with indocyanine green (ICG) and chelerythrine (I/C@Lipo-A) for enhanced breast cancer theranostics. ICG serves as a dual-functional agent, enabling deep-tissue fluorescence (FL) imaging in the second near-infrared (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm) window and photothermal therapy (PTT). Leveraging ICG's superior tissue penetration and reduced scattering in the NIR-II window, this system significantly improves tumor delineation and therapeutic precision. Meanwhile, chelerythrine (CHE), a natural benzophenanthridine alkaloid with potent anticancer activity, induces mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. However, their clinical application has been hindered by poor solubility and bioavailability. By coencapsulating ICG and CHE within tumor-targeting liposomes, we synergistically enhanced CHE's anticancer efficacy while enabling NIR-II FL imaging-guided PTT. This combinatorial strategy not only suppressed primary tumor growth but also inhibited distant metastases, significantly improving survival rates. Our work presents a robust, multifunctional platform for precision breast cancer theranostics, overcoming key barriers in drug delivery and imaging-guided therapy.
Insights
This study introduces a novel liposome system for breast cancer theranostics. The aptamer-functionalized liposomes enhance tumor targeting and combine imaging with dual therapy, improving outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Breast cancer poses a significant global health challenge.
- Current theranostic platforms struggle with insufficient tumor accumulation.
- Developing targeted delivery systems is crucial for effective breast cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an advanced theranostic platform for enhanced breast cancer treatment.
- To overcome limitations of insufficient tumor accumulation and poor drug bioavailability.
- To create a system for imaging-guided therapy and synergistic treatment effects.
Main Methods:
- Functionalized liposomes (AS1411 aptamer) co-loaded with indocyanine green (ICG) and chelerythrine (CHE).
- Utilized ICG for second near-infrared window (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT).
- Employed CHE for its anticancer properties, inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- The ICG and CHE co-loaded liposomes (I/C@Lipo-A) demonstrated enhanced tumor accumulation.
- NIR-II imaging guided PTT effectively delineated tumors and precisely targeted therapy.
- The combinatorial approach significantly suppressed primary tumor growth and inhibited distant metastases.
Conclusions:
- The developed AS1411 aptamer-functionalized liposomes offer a robust platform for precision breast cancer theranostics.
- This multifunctional system overcomes barriers in drug delivery and imaging-guided therapy.
- The strategy shows potential for improved survival rates in breast cancer patients.
![Dynamic Imaging of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells with [18F]Tetrafluoroborate Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F62334.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
