In-vivo imaging of oral squamous cell carcinoma by EGFR monoclonal antibody conjugated near-infrared quantum dots in mice

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate in-vivo visible imaging of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) with near-infrared quantum dots. Materials and methods: Quantum dots with an emission wavelength of 800 nm (QD800) were conjugated to monoclonal antibodies against EGFR, resulting in the probe designated as QD800-EGFR Ab. OSCC cell line (BcaCD885) expressing high levels of EGFR was transplanted subcutaneously into nude mice cheeks to develop an OSCC animal model. QD800-EGFR Ab containing 100 pmol equivalent of QD800 was intravenously injected into the animal model, and in-situ and in-vivo imaging of cheek squamous cell carcinoma was analyzed at 10 different time points. Results and conclusion: In-vivo imaging and immunohistochemical examination of the tumors showed that intravenously injected QD800-EGFR Ab probe could bind EGFR expressed on BcaCD885 cells. Fluorescence signals of BcaCD885 cells labeled with QD800-EGFR Ab probe could be clearly detected, and these fluorescence signals lasted for 24 hours. The most complete tumor images with maximal signal-to-noise ratio were observed from 15 minutes to 6 hours after injection of the probe. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that has obtained clear in-situ and in-vivo imaging of head and neck cancer by using QD800-EGFR Ab probe. The authors conclude that the combination of near-infrared quantum dots that are highly penetrating for tissues with EGFR monoclonal antibody has promising prospects in in-vivo imaging of OSCC and development of personalized surgical therapies.

The Smart Targeting of Nanoparticles

“…A review of papers describing antibody-guided nanoparticles from 2003 to 2012 (Table 4) reveals that most targeting antibodies are monoclonal and mostly murine, though some antibodies from other species, and polyclonals from rabbit, have been effective, as well as some chimeric [34-36] and humanized antibodies [13, 37, 38]. The majority of these antibodies target the extracellular domains (ECDs) of cell surface proteins, which is logical considering their intended application as in vivo targeted nanoparticles, the exception being a diagnostic sensor of NANOG, a transcription factor, composed of a graphite AuNP-coated film [39].…”

Quantum Dot-Based Nanoprobes for In Vivo Targeted Imaging

“…Therefore, anti-EGFR antibodies have attracted significant interest for imaging and therapy of OSCC and HNSCC. For example, an anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody was conjugated to QD800, which enabled clear in-situ and in vivo imaging of HNSCC [149]. An anti-EGFR antibody was conjugated to Au:CdHgTe QD840 in another study [86], where QD800-RGD and QD820-anti-CEACAM1 (carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule-1) conjugates were also synthesized and used together with QD840-anti-EGFR for in vivo tumor targeting in human lung adenocarcinoma xenografts.…”

Quantum dots targeted to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 as a contrast agent for the detection of colorectal cancer

“…They also have desirable fluorescence qualities such as a wide range of excitation wavelengths, a narrow emission band, high quantum efficiency, high photostablility, and they can be produced to emit throughout a wide range of wavelengths. [21][22][23] Quantum dots have been used in numerous studies as fluorescent markers for cancer in vitro [24][25][26][27][28][29] and in vivo; [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] however, their use in vivo has been limited to nontargeted [30][31][32][33] or xenograft labeling. [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41] In order to obtain the specificity in labeling cancerous tissue by the quantum dots, a targeting method must be considered.…”