Lymph Node Mapping for Tumor Micrometastasis

Abstract

Lymph node mapping for tumor micrometastasis is of great significance for the prevention, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. Currently, the traditional clinical detection methods (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or positron emission tomography/computed tomography) in clinical lymph node mapping still have some inherent disadvantages, which have prompted the development of various fluorescent probes for lymph node mapping. However, the conventional fluorescent probes such as indocyanine green or methylene blue in lymph node mapping are still accompanied by several problems such as impaired surgical field vision due to dye staining or less accumulation and shorter retention time in the lymph node. In a recent achievement, newly designed nanoparticles are prepared with novel properties that could be attractive for lymph node mapping. In this review, we will provide details on the progress of various nanoparticles for lymph node mapping and emphasize other multivariant properties in different nanoparticles, including strong tumor-targeting affinity and specificity, self-luminescence, and even with the function to kill metastatic cancer cells.

Manganese porphyrin/ICG nanoparticles as magnetic resonance/fluorescent dual-mode probes for imaging of sentinel lymph node metastasis

“…14 Most basic research applications of FL/MR probes in lymph nodes are focused on localization, while the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis is rare. [15][16][17] Therefore, it is meaningful to develop FL/MR dual-modality probes for the diagnosis of SLN metastasis.…”

Theranostic Nanoprobes with Aggregation‐Induced NIR‐II Emission: from Molecular Design to Biomedical Application

“…To prevent tumor recurrence, it is crucial to correctly identify and remove lymph nodes during surgery for tumor resection. Recently, by breast cancer, which is prone to tumor metastasis, [40,95] as the model, it was found that intratumoral injection of NIR-920 NPs (Figure 11D) allowed for the fluorescence imaging of the axillary and thoracic lymph nodes. [38] Guidance by the fluorescence imaging of brachial and thoracic lymph nodes, the guided lymph nodes were precisely removed (Figure 11E).…”

Nanocrystals for Deep-Tissue In Vivo Luminescence Imaging in the Near-Infrared Region

“…Lymphatic metastasis functions as a prevailing route for cancer dissemination, significantly impacting the prognosis and treatment of solid tumors, including esophageal cancer, thyroid cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. − The sentinel lymph node, as the initial recipient of primary tumor drainage, furnishes essential information concerning the downstream lymph nodes. − Consequently, the precise localization, visualization, and meticulous dissection of lymph nodes assume a pivotal role in cancer surgery. Direct imaging methods employed for accurate detection and identification of lymph nodes hold paramount importance in cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis .…”