Pancreatic Cancer detection via Galectin-1-targeted Thermoacoustic Imaging: validation in an in vivo heterozygosity model

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging (MTAI) in detecting small pancreatic tumors (< 10 mm in diameter) and to complement the limitation of current clinical imaging methods. Methods: A home-made MTAI system composed of a portable antenna and pulsed microwave generator was developed. The thermoacoustic nanoparticles were composed of the galectin-1 antibody for targeting pancreatic tumors and Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles as microwave absorbers (anti-Gal1-Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles). The microwave absorption properties of the nanoparticles were measured with a vector network analyzer and the resolving power of MTAI was investigated by imaging excised pancreatic tumors of different sizes (diameters of 1.0 mm, 3.1 mm, 5.0 mm, 7.2 mm). To simulate actual imaging scenarios, an in vivo heterozygosity model was constructed by covering the pancreatic tumors (~ 3 mm in diameter) in BALB/c nude mice with biologic tissue (~ 5 cm in depth). MTAI images of the heterozygosity model were acquired with/without the injection of the anti-Gal1-Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles and the thermoacoustic contrast from pancreatic tumors was evaluated with Student's paired t test. The data were analyzed with analysis of variance and nonparametric statistics. Results : Following intravenous infusion, anti-Gal1-Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles efficiently accumulated in the tumor. The MTAI contrast enhancement in pancreatic tumors with anti-Gal1-Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles was verified in vitro and in vivo . The pancreatic tumors were visible in nude mice examined with MTAI with a mean contrast enhancement ratio of 2.3 ± 0.15 (standard error of the mean) ( P =. 001) at 6 h post-injection of the nanoparticles. MTAI identified tiny pancreatic tumors in deep tissues with high fidelity. Conclusion : MTAI offers deep imaging depth and high contrast when used with anti-Gal1-Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. It can identify pancreatic tumors smaller than 5 mm, which is beyond the identification limit size (~10 mm) of other nondestructive clinical imaging methods. Thus, MTAI has great potential as an alternative imaging modality for early pancreatic cancer detection.

Galectin-1 From Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promotes the Invasion and Metastasis of Gastric Cancer Through&nbsp;TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

“…GAL-1 has been found in multiple tumor cells, including melanoma, lung cancer [30], pancreatic cancer [31], bladder cancer [32], thyroid cancer [33], cervical cancer [34], and colorectal cancer [35]. In the present study, we showed that the GAL-1 protein and LGALS1 mRNA levels in GC tissue were signi cantly higher than those in NGCT, suggesting that GAL-1/LGALS1 is associated with the malignant biological behavior of GC.…”

Fibroblastic galectin-1-fostered invasion and metastasis are mediated by TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer

“…GAL-1 has been found in multiple tumor cells, including melanoma, lung cancer [ 31 ], pancreatic cancer [ 32 ], bladder cancer [ 33 ], thyroid cancer [ 34 ], cervical cancer [ 35 ], and colorectal cancer [ 36 ]. The results of the present study demonstrated that the GAL-1 protein and LGALS1 mRNA levels in GC tissue were significantly higher than those in NGCT, suggesting that GAL-1/ LGALS1 is associated with the malignant biological behavior of GC.…”

Nanomaterials responding to microwaves: an emerging field for imaging and therapy

“…In 2020, Qin et al explored Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles modied with galectin-1 antibody in the targeted microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging of pancreatic cancer, demonstrating an enhanced contrast ratio. 44 Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are another nanomaterial that has attracted the interest of MW researchers. An early analysis of the nanomaterial in 2009 indicated that "When carbon nanotubes are exposed to microwaves, strong absorptions are observed, producing intense heating, outgassing, and light emission".…”

“…In 2020, Qin et al explored Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles modified with galectin-1 antibody in the targeted microwave-induced thermoacoustic imaging of pancreatic cancer, demonstrating an enhanced contrast ratio. 44 …”