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A Versatile Tumor Microenvironment-Responsive Nanoprobe for Cancer Screening and Early Detection
Fangyan Ouyang1,2, Huihuang Xiong3, Dan Ding3
1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Nanchang University, Nanchang330047, China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|July 17, 2026
Summary
A novel nanoprobe detects early-stage cancers using near-infrared imaging and urine tests. This dual-modality approach offers superior sensitivity for small tumors and monitors treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Oncology
Background:
- Early cancer detection remains a significant challenge, especially for small, millimeter-sized tumors.
- Current diagnostic methods often lack the sensitivity or accessibility for widespread early screening.
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) presents unique biomarkers for targeted cancer detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a TME-responsive nanoprobe for early cancer detection.
- To enable cross-validated cancer diagnosis using in vivo near-infrared fluorescence imaging and in vitro urinalysis.
- To assess the nanoprobe's efficacy in detecting small tumors and monitoring therapeutic responses.
Main Methods:
- Development of a multifunctional nanoprobe (PR-KAd@CD-AuNC) integrating CD-AuNCs, PR targeting, and an MMP2-cleavable linker.
- In vivo tumor targeting and imaging using second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence.
- In vitro colorimetric detection in urine based on CD-AuNC fragment release and peroxidase-like activity.
- Evaluation of diagnostic sensitivity against CT imaging and assessment of therapeutic efficacy.
Main Results:
- The nanoprobe achieved selective tumor accumulation via PR targeting and high-resolution imaging in the NIR-II window.
- MMP2 cleavage in the TME released smaller CD-AuNC fragments, enabling renal clearance and a colorimetric urine signal.
- The dual-modality approach demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting small tumors across multiple cancer types, outperforming CT.
- The strategy successfully monitored responses to immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical resection.
Conclusions:
- The PR-KAd@CD-AuNC nanoprobe provides a promising dual-modality strategy for sensitive early cancer detection.
- The TME-responsive design allows for both high-resolution in vivo imaging and simple in vitro urinalysis.
- This approach has potential clinical value for guiding cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
