In vivo photoacoustic molecular imaging of breast carcinoma with folate receptor-targeted indocyanine green nanoprobes

Abstract

As an optical-acoustic hybrid imaging technology, photoacoustic imaging uniquely combines the advantages of rich optical contrast with high ultrasonic resolution in depth, opening up many new possibilities not attainable with conventional pure optical imaging technologies. To perform photoacoustic molecular imaging, optically absorbing exogenous contrast agents are needed to enhance the signals from specifically targeted disease activity. In this work, we designed and developed folate receptor targeted, indocyanine green dye doped poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) lipid nanoparticles (FA-ICG-PLGA-lipid NPs) for molecular photoacoustic imaging of tumor. The fabricated FA-ICG-PLGA-lipid NPs exhibited good aqueous stability, a high folate-receptor targeting efficiency, and remarkable optical absorption in near-infrared wavelengths, providing excellent photoacoustic signals in vitro. Furthermore, after intravenous administration of FA-ICG-PLGA-lipid NPs, mice bearing MCF-7 breast carcinomas showed significantly enhanced photoacoustic signals in vivo in the tumor regions, compared with those using non-targeted ICG-PLGA-lipid NPs. Given the existing wide clinical use of ICG and PLGA, the developed FA-ICG-PLGA-lipid NPs, in conjunction with photoacoustic imaging technology, offer a great potential to be translated into the clinic for non-ionizing molecular imaging of breast cancer in vivo.

Superfluorinated PEI Derivative Coupled with 99mTc for ASGPR Targeted 19F MRI/SPECT/PA Tri‐Modality Imaging

“…Therefore, the urgent requirement is to provide safe and target-dependent PA (photoacoustic) probes. [16,17] In stark contrast to the probes, the development of medicine imaging instruments is boosted by the introduction of new technologies. The emergence of the multifunctional concepts seamlessly integrates anatomical and quantitative imaging techniques, which is of great importance to promote diagnostic and therapeutic service system to serve patients better.…”

Free DOX and chitosan- N -arginine conjugate stabilized indocyanine green nanoparticles for combined chemophotothermal therapy

“…One possible approach to achieve the objective is to entrap ICG in a nanocarrier which can protect the incorporated ICG from the surrounding instability-causing factors including pH, serum protein, light, heat, and undesired compounds [11][12][13]. Incorporation of ICG in nanoparticles or micelles significantly increased the circulation half-life of ICG [14], and concentrated the NIR fluorescence dye at selected sites in the body by using active or inactive targeting methods [15][16][17][18][19]. The fluorescence imaging and photothermal therapy performance of ICG can be greatly enhanced by increasing ICG accumulation at a targeted site.…”

Dual-wavelength optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy for cells with gold nanoparticle bioconjugates in three-dimensional cultures

“…ICG generally has negligible toxicity and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for liver function tests 20 and surgical navigations 21 , and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors detection due to their selective uptake and retention. 22,23 On the other hand, other researchers developed several nanoparticle delivery systems such as encapsulating ICG within poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) to embed it within liposomes for effectively targeting versatility 15 .…”

“…Several photoacoustic imaging studies utilized various exogenous agents, such as gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) 12,13 and indocyanine green (ICG) 14,15 . AuNPs can be good candidates as contrast agents for photoacoustic imaging due to their excellent biocompatibility and high optical absorption.…”