Near-Infrared Imaging Using a Cathepsin-Targeted, Quenched Activity-Based Probe Identifies Naturally Occurring Canine...

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignancy of the skeleton. Despite advances in imaging modalities, neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy, and limb-sparing surgery over the past decades, there has been a general lack of improvement in survival rates. Tumor recurrence and metastases are associated with a worse prognosis, and complete tumor excision is critical. The use of real-time imaging could facilitate the acquisition of tumor-free surgical margins. Spontaneous osteosarcoma in dogs is an established translational model of human osteosarcoma.

In this study, 12 dogs with spontaneous appendicular osteosarcoma received a cathepsin-targeted quenched activity-based probe (VGT-309) intravenously 16 to 20 hours before amputation. The limb was imaged at four levels of dissection, and the margins of near-infrared fluorescence were marked for comparison with histopathology and preoperative MRI.

All appendicular tumors fluoresced on cross-section of the bone, and the extent of fluorescence coincided with MRI and histopathologic margins, with variability associated with necrosis. All tumors had visible fluorescence through cortical bone, although this did not consistently reflect intramedullary extension of the tumor. Necrotic tumor regions did not fluoresce.

These data support the safety and feasibility of VGT-309 as a tool for evaluating the tissue extent of canine osteosarcoma and spur investigation for intraoperative detection of osteosarcoma during limb-sparing surgery in humans. Due to frequent intramedullary tumor extension and inconsistent fluorescence through unaffected cortical bone, this modality is likely most appropriate for assessing residual tumor following planned resection. Caution should be exercised when significant tumor necrosis is present.