Sensitive and specific detection of breast cancer lymph node metastasis through dual-modality magnetic particle imaging and fluorescence molecular imaging: a preclinical evaluation

Abstract

Purpose A sensitive and specific imaging method to detect metastatic cancer cells in lymph nodes to detect the early-stage breast cancer is still a challenge. The purpose of this study was to investigate a novel breast cancer–targeting and tumour microenvironment ATP-responsive superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) imaging probe (abbreviated as SPIOs@A-T) that was developed to detect lymph node metastasis through fluorescence molecular imaging (FMI) and magnetic particle imaging (MPI). Methods The conjugation of the targeted peptide CREKA and SPIOs was via linker sulfo-SMCC, while the dsDNA-Cy5.5 was modified on SPIOs through the conjugation between maleimide group in sulfo-SMCC and sulfydryl group in dsDNA-Cy5.5. SPIOs@A-T was characterised for its imaging properties, targeting ability and toxicity in vitro. Mice with metastatic lymph node (MLN) of breast cancer were established to evaluate the FMI and MPI imaging strategy in vivo. Healthy mice with normal lymph node (NLN) were used as control group. Histological examination and biosafety evaluation were performed for further assessment. Results After injection with SPIOs@A-T, the obvious high fluorescent intensity and MPI signal were observed in MLN group than those in NLN group. FMI can specifically light up MLN using an ATP-responsive fluorescence design. On the other hand, MPI could complement the limitation of imaging depth from FMI and could detect MLN more sensitively. Besides, the biosafety evaluation results showed SPIOs@A-T had no detectable biological toxicity. Conclusion SPIOs@A-T imaging probe in combination with FMI and MPI can provide a promising novel method for the precise detection of MLN in vivo.

Combination of time domain-system matrix and x-space methods to reconstruct magnetic particle images with isotropic resolution

“…Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) shows promise for cell tracking (Song et al 2018), cancer detection (Du et al 2019, Wang et al 2022, Zhang et al 2022, and vascular imaging (Haegele et al 2012). This technique visualizes superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) based on their non-linear magnetization response to alternating magnetic fields (Gleich and Weizenecker 2005).…”

Fibronectin-targeting and metalloproteinase-activatable smart imaging probe for fluorescence imaging and image-guided surgery of breast cancer

“…Simultaneously, fibrin-fibronectin complexes within extracellular microenvironment stood for vital imaging biomarkers for specific delivery of imaging probes to the cancerous site [ 22 ]. Fibronectin-targeting strategies have been applied for detection and image-guided treatment of breast cancer [ 16 , 23 , 24 ]. Hence, it is meaningful to synthesize a dual-targeted imaging probe that combines MMP-9- and fibronectin-targeting abilities for accurate diagnosis and FMI-guided surgery for breast cancer.…”

SMART RHESINs—Superparamagnetic Magnetite Architecture Made of Phenolic Resin Hollow Spheres Coated with Eu(III) Containing Silica Nanoparticles for Future Quantitative Magnetic Particle Imaging Applications

“…[34,35,42,71] However, the installation of variable functional groups on the outer polymer shell offers unprecedented opportunities for further (bio-)chemical modification, including luminescence functionalization, and organelle and tissue targeting. [72][73][74] Filled hollow nanospheres, also referred to as yolk/shell NPs or nanorattles, open up new possibilities for functionalization so far out of reach with classical core/shell NPs for theranostic and quantitative MPI applications. [25,[75][76][77][78][79] This superparamagnetic magnetite architecture made of phenolic resin hollow spheres coated with Eu(III) containing silica nanoparticles, herein named SMART RHESINs, was synthesized and studied.…”