Dual-Modality SPECT and Viscosity-Responsive AIE Fluorescence Probe for Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis and...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Molecular Imaging
• Oncology

Background:

• Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) diagnosis and surgical resection are challenging.
• Plectin-1 overexpression in PDAC presents a potential diagnostic target.
• Current diagnostic methods lack sufficient accuracy for early detection and surgical guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel dual-modality probe for plectin-1 targeting in PDAC.
• To enable both preoperative SPECT imaging and intraoperative fluorescence navigation.
• To evaluate the probe's diagnostic and surgical guidance capabilities for PDAC.

Main Methods:

• Development of PTP-QM-DOTA, integrating ¹⁷⁷Lu and a viscosity-responsive AIE fluorophore (QM).
• Assessment of probe's viscosity-responsive behavior in vitro.
• Evaluation of radiolabeling efficiency, radiostability, and biocompatibility.
• In vivo SPECT imaging and fluorescence navigation in PDAC models.

Main Results:

• PTP-QM-DOTA exhibited significant viscosity-responsive fluorescence enhancement.
• The probe showed high radiolabeling efficiency, stability, and biocompatibility.
• In vivo SPECT imaging accurately delineated PDAC tumors within 1 hour.
• Enhanced fluorescence and SNR facilitated precise tumor localization.

Conclusions:

• ¹⁷⁷Lu-PTP-QM-DOTA is a safe and effective dual-modality probe for PDAC.
• The probe shows potential for integrated diagnosis and surgical guidance.
• This represents a significant advancement in PDAC management.