Intraoperative tumor-specific fluorescence imaging in ovarian cancer by folate receptor-α targeting: first in-human results

Abstract

The prognosis in advanced-stage ovarian cancer remains poor. Tumor-specific intraoperative fluorescence imaging may improve staging and debulking efforts in cytoreductive surgery and thereby improve prognosis. The overexpression of folate receptor-α (FR-α) in 90-95% of epithelial ovarian cancers prompted the investigation of intraoperative tumor-specific fluorescence imaging in ovarian cancer surgery using an FR-α-targeted fluorescent agent. In patients with ovarian cancer, intraoperative tumor-specific fluorescence imaging with an FR-α-targeted fluorescent agent showcased the potential applications in patients with ovarian cancer for improved intraoperative staging and more radical cytoreductive surgery.

Selective treatment and monitoring of disseminated cancer micrometastases in vivo using dual-function, activatable immunoconjugates

“…In addition, rationally designed immunoconjugates simultaneously inhibit treatment survival signaling pathways [e.g., the EGFR pathway (56)] in concert with their photocytotoxic effects (36). Molecular tumor targeting also provides opportunities for fluorescence-guided surgery (15)(16)(17) to remove more disease before taPIT and chemotherapy.…”

“…In a promising clinical study, intraoperative visualization of EOC nodules labeled with a targeted, always-on fluorescent probe facilitated the identification of more tumor deposits by surgeons compared with conventional bright-field illumination (15). This development may ultimately translate to fluorescence-guided resection for more radical cytoreductive surgery, leaving less disease behind (15)(16)(17). Photoimmunotherapy (PIT) using always-on immunoconjugates is a targeted form of photodynamic therapy-first reported in the seminal works of Significance Residual micrometastases following standard therapies limit our ability to cure many cancers.…”

Neodymium-doped nanoparticles for infrared fluorescence bioimaging: The role of the host

“…4,5 Fluorescent labels have even been used to provide in vivo contrast during surgery, enabling, for instance, the detection of sentinel lymph nodes, and the complete resection of cancer tumors. [6][7][8] Fluorescence-assisted techniques have also been successfully applied to cardiovascular surgery procedures, organ transplantation, as well as controlled photothermal treatments. [9][10][11] All of these techniques require the use of optical probes that could act as contrast agents.…”

Layer-by-layer assembled fluorescent probes in the second near-infrared window for systemic delivery and detection of ovarian cancer

“…F luorescence-based optical imaging is a broadly applied imaging technique that provides a nondestructive means for detecting disease, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating treatment outcome (1)(2)(3)(4). Compared with tomographic imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography, fluorescence imaging yields quicker results at a lower cost (5).…”