Imaging of Metastatic Cancer Cells in Sentinel Lymph Nodes using Affibody Probes and Possibility of a Theranostic Approach

Abstract

The accurate detection of lymph node metastases is essential for treatment success in early-stage malignant cancer. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy is the most effective procedure for detecting small or micrometastases that are undetectable by conventional imaging modalities. To demonstrate a new approach for developing a more efficient SLN biopsy procedure, we reported a two-stage imaging method combining lymphoscintigraphy and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging to depict metastatic cancer cells in SLNs in vivo. Furthermore, the theranostic potential of the combined procedure was examined by cell culture and xenograft mouse model. Anti-HER2 and anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) affibody probes were used for NIR fluorescence imaging. Strong NIR fluorescence signal intensity of the anti-EGFR affibody probe was observed in SAS cells (EGFR positive). Radioactivity in the SLNs was clearly observed in the in vivo studies. High anti-EGFR affibody NIR fluorescence intensity was observed in the metastatic lymph nodes in mice. The addition of the IR700-conjugated anti-EGFR affibody to the culture medium decreased the proliferation of SAS cells. Decreased proliferation was shown in Ki-67 immunohistochemistry in xenograft tumors. Our data suggest that a two-stage combined imaging method using lymphoscintigraphy and affibody probes may offer the direct visualization of metastatic lymph nodes as an easily applied technique in SLN biopsy. Although further animal studies are required to assess the effect of treating lymphatic metastasis in this approach, our study results provide a foundation for the further development of this promising imaging and treatment strategy for earlier lymph node metastasis detection and treatment.

ICG-Dimeric Her2-Specific Affibody Conjugates for Tumor Imaging and Photothermal Therapy for Her2-Positive Tumors

“…Therefore, BT-474 and SKOV-3 cells were Her2-positive, while HeLa cells were Her2-negative. This result was consistent with that of previous research. ,− To perform a cell-binding assay, Z Her2 was labeled with FAM. FAM-Z Her2 was then incubated with Her2-negative HeLa cells and Her2-positive BT-474 or SKOV-3 cells and analyzed by flow cytometry.…”

Real-time diagnosis of sentinel lymph nodes involved to breast cancer based on pH sensing through lipid synthesis of those cells

“…One of these works is to inject an anti-epidermal growth factor (EGFR) or anti-herceptin2 (HER2) fluorescent substances followed by a 99mTc-phytate radioactive material around the mouse primary tumor [13,14]. Using microwave waves (with a bandwidth of up to 30 GHz) to detect cancerous cells in the lymph node was another reported method which took 15-30 min after wave ablation [15].…”