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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 enables early cancer detection using near-infrared imaging and urine tests. This dual-modality approach accurately identifies small tumors and monitors treatment efficacy, outperforming CT scans.
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 specificity for timely identification of nascent malignancies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive nanoprobe for dual-modality cancer detection.
- To enable early and accurate cancer diagnosis using in vivo fluorescence imaging and in vitro urinalysis.
- To assess the nanoprobe's utility in monitoring cancer therapeutic efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Development of a multi-component nanoprobe (PR-KAd@CD-AuNC) integrating a signal output (CD-AuNC), tumor targeting (PR), and a cleavable linker (KAd).
- Utilized in vivo second near-infrared (NIR-II) fluorescence imaging for tumor visualization and in vitro colorimetric urinalysis for detection.
- Leveraged matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2) activity within the TME to trigger nanoprobe fragmentation and renal clearance of signal components.
Main Results:
- The nanoprobe demonstrated selective tumor accumulation via αvβ3 integrin targeting and prolonged circulation.
- NIR-II imaging provided high-resolution visualization of small tumors, surpassing CT sensitivity.
- MMP2-mediated cleavage released smaller CD-AuNC fragments, enabling renal excretion and generating a colorimetric signal in urine for low-cost screening.
- The dual-modality approach successfully differentiated cancers from inflammatory conditions and assessed treatment response.
Conclusions:
- The PR-KAd@CD-AuNC nanoprobe offers a promising dual-modality strategy for sensitive, early cancer detection and therapeutic monitoring.
- This approach overcomes limitations of current methods by combining high-resolution in vivo imaging with accessible in vitro urinalysis.
- The findings suggest significant clinical potential for guiding cancer diagnosis and treatment decisions.
