Near-infrared fluorescent molecular probes with cetuximab in the in vivo fluorescence imaging for epithelial ovarian cancer

Abstract Background Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is an excellent choice for image-guided surgery due to its simple operation and non-invasiveness. Developing tumor-specific fluorescent molecular probes is key to fluorescence imaging-guided surgery. EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor...

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Main Authors: Chen Zhang, Hongyan Cheng, Sha Dou, Yuanfen Wang, Xue Ye, Heng Cui, Xiaohong Chang, Yi Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Journal of Ovarian Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-024-01547-5
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author Chen Zhang
Hongyan Cheng
Sha Dou
Yuanfen Wang
Xue Ye
Heng Cui
Xiaohong Chang
Yi Li
author_facet Chen Zhang
Hongyan Cheng
Sha Dou
Yuanfen Wang
Xue Ye
Heng Cui
Xiaohong Chang
Yi Li
author_sort Chen Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is an excellent choice for image-guided surgery due to its simple operation and non-invasiveness. Developing tumor-specific fluorescent molecular probes is key to fluorescence imaging-guided surgery. EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) is closely related to the proliferation and growth of tumor cells and is highly expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The study aims to construct a NIR fluorescent molecular probe using cetuximab (an EGFR monoclonal antibody) and investigate its feasibility for targeting EOC in vivo through fluorescence imaging. Methods We determined the expression of EGFR in EOC. NIR fluorescent molecular probe with cetuximab (cetuximab-Cy7) was chemically engineered and identified. The subcutaneous xenografted tumor model of EOC was induced using SKOV3-Luc cell line with positive expression of EGFR. Cetuximab-Cy7 was used for in vivo fluorescence imaging, and phosphate-buffered saline, free Cy7 dye and mouse isotype immunoglobulin G-Cy7 were used as controls. NIRF imaging system was performed to study the distribution and targeting of the probes. Tumors were imaged in situ and ex vivo, and fluorescent intensity was quantified. Resected specimens were analyzed to confirm diagnosis, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to identify EGFR expression. Results EGFR expression was increased in EOC tissues than fallopian tube tissues. The high expression of EGFR was significantly correlated with well-differentiation, residual lesions ≤ 1 cm, no recurrence and increased survival. NIRF imaging showed that the cetuximab-Cy7 enabled detection of tumor lesions in EOC-bearing mice with the optimal dose of 30 µg. The suitable imaging time window may be 24–96 h post-injection. Ex vivo fluorescence imaging indicated that fluorescent signal was mainly detected in the tumor and the lung. IHC results confirmed that xenografts were EGFR positive. Conclusion Cetuximab-Cy7 can specifically target the tumors of EOC xenografted nude mice. This research lays the foundation for future studies on EOC surgery navigation.
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spelling doaj-art-3cafdf3344aa4de18a2379d5052ab62d2024-11-17T12:42:14ZengBMCJournal of Ovarian Research1757-22152024-11-0117111210.1186/s13048-024-01547-5Near-infrared fluorescent molecular probes with cetuximab in the in vivo fluorescence imaging for epithelial ovarian cancerChen Zhang0Hongyan Cheng1Sha Dou2Yuanfen Wang3Xue Ye4Heng Cui5Xiaohong Chang6Yi Li7Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s HospitalDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s HospitalDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s HospitalDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s HospitalDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s HospitalDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s HospitalDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s HospitalDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s HospitalAbstract Background Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is an excellent choice for image-guided surgery due to its simple operation and non-invasiveness. Developing tumor-specific fluorescent molecular probes is key to fluorescence imaging-guided surgery. EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) is closely related to the proliferation and growth of tumor cells and is highly expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The study aims to construct a NIR fluorescent molecular probe using cetuximab (an EGFR monoclonal antibody) and investigate its feasibility for targeting EOC in vivo through fluorescence imaging. Methods We determined the expression of EGFR in EOC. NIR fluorescent molecular probe with cetuximab (cetuximab-Cy7) was chemically engineered and identified. The subcutaneous xenografted tumor model of EOC was induced using SKOV3-Luc cell line with positive expression of EGFR. Cetuximab-Cy7 was used for in vivo fluorescence imaging, and phosphate-buffered saline, free Cy7 dye and mouse isotype immunoglobulin G-Cy7 were used as controls. NIRF imaging system was performed to study the distribution and targeting of the probes. Tumors were imaged in situ and ex vivo, and fluorescent intensity was quantified. Resected specimens were analyzed to confirm diagnosis, and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to identify EGFR expression. Results EGFR expression was increased in EOC tissues than fallopian tube tissues. The high expression of EGFR was significantly correlated with well-differentiation, residual lesions ≤ 1 cm, no recurrence and increased survival. NIRF imaging showed that the cetuximab-Cy7 enabled detection of tumor lesions in EOC-bearing mice with the optimal dose of 30 µg. The suitable imaging time window may be 24–96 h post-injection. Ex vivo fluorescence imaging indicated that fluorescent signal was mainly detected in the tumor and the lung. IHC results confirmed that xenografts were EGFR positive. Conclusion Cetuximab-Cy7 can specifically target the tumors of EOC xenografted nude mice. This research lays the foundation for future studies on EOC surgery navigation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-024-01547-5Epithelial ovarian cancerNear-infrared fluorescence imagingCetuximabCy7Animal model
spellingShingle Chen Zhang
Hongyan Cheng
Sha Dou
Yuanfen Wang
Xue Ye
Heng Cui
Xiaohong Chang
Yi Li
Near-infrared fluorescent molecular probes with cetuximab in the in vivo fluorescence imaging for epithelial ovarian cancer
Journal of Ovarian Research
Epithelial ovarian cancer
Near-infrared fluorescence imaging
Cetuximab
Cy7
Animal model
title Near-infrared fluorescent molecular probes with cetuximab in the in vivo fluorescence imaging for epithelial ovarian cancer
title_full Near-infrared fluorescent molecular probes with cetuximab in the in vivo fluorescence imaging for epithelial ovarian cancer
title_fullStr Near-infrared fluorescent molecular probes with cetuximab in the in vivo fluorescence imaging for epithelial ovarian cancer
title_full_unstemmed Near-infrared fluorescent molecular probes with cetuximab in the in vivo fluorescence imaging for epithelial ovarian cancer
title_short Near-infrared fluorescent molecular probes with cetuximab in the in vivo fluorescence imaging for epithelial ovarian cancer
title_sort near infrared fluorescent molecular probes with cetuximab in the in vivo fluorescence imaging for epithelial ovarian cancer
topic Epithelial ovarian cancer
Near-infrared fluorescence imaging
Cetuximab
Cy7
Animal model
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13048-024-01547-5
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