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Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Tissue-simulating Phantoms for Assessing Potential Near-infrared Fluorescence Imaging Applications in Breast Cancer Surgery
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A SLC7A5-Specific Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe for Cancer-Targeted Imaging Applications

Wei Zhang1, Jialin Xu2, Liping Dong3

  • 1Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Research Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, P.R. China.

Journal of Fluorescence
|February 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Researchers developed a new near-infrared fluorescent dye targeting the SLC7A5 receptor for improved triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) imaging. This dye enhances visualization of TNBC tumors, aiding surgical precision.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Imaging
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Surgical resection is crucial for cancer patient survival.
  • Fluorescence-guided imaging improves cancer resection precision.
  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks specific molecular targets for therapy and imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1/SLC7A5) as a target in TNBC.
  • To develop and evaluate a novel near-infrared fluorescent dye (Cys-PEG5-IR) targeting SLC7A5 for TNBC imaging.

Main Methods:

  • Verified SLC7A5 overexpression in TNBC cells.
  • Synthesized Cys-PEG5-IR, a near-infrared fluorescent dye targeting SLC7A5.
  • Assessed Cys-PEG5-IR specificity and efficacy in vitro (cell fluorescence) and in vivo (TNBC xenograft model).

Main Results:

  • Cys-PEG5-IR showed enhanced fluorescence in SLC7A5-overexpressing TNBC cells.
  • Fluorescence was minimal in cells with SLC7A5 knockdown.
  • The dye exhibited significantly higher tumor uptake in a TNBC xenograft model compared to unlabeled dye.

Conclusions:

  • SLC7A5 is a viable target for TNBC.
  • Cys-PEG5-IR serves as an effective contrast agent for TNBC imaging.
  • Targeting the methionine transport pathway offers a promising strategy for TNBC detection and treatment.
Keywords:
Cancer imagingFluorescent imagingMethionine (Met)SLC7A5

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