Targeted Molecular Imaging of Pancreatic Cancer with a Miniature Endoscope

Abstract

It is highly desirable to develop novel approaches to improve patient survival rate of pancreatic cancer through early detection. Here, we present such an approach based on photoacoustic and fluorescence molecular imaging of pancreatic tumor using a miniature multimodal endoscope in combination with targeted multifunctional iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs). A novel fan-shaped scanning mechanism was developed to minimize the invasiveness for endoscopic imaging of pancreatic tumors. The results show that the enhancements in photoacoustic and fluorescence signals using amino-terminal fragment (ATF) targeted IONPs were~four to six times higher compared to that using non-targeted IONPs. Our study indicates the potential of the combination of the multimodal photoacoustic-fluorescence endoscopy and targeted multifunctional nanoparticles as an efficient tool to provide improved specificity and sensitivity for pancreatic cancer detection.

Light-Interacting iron-based nanomaterials for localized cancer detection and treatment

“…Third, fluorescent endoscopy could be carried on various cancers, e.g. gastrointestinal, [156], pancreatic, [157], gastric/stomach, [158], esophageal, [159],…”

“…or kidney, [160] cancers. Combining standard endoscopic fluorescent apparatus with FIBN associated to a targeting moiety (amino-terminal fragment) could improve the quality of the fluorescence signal due to the specific tumor targeting and imaging of FIBN, [157]. In the same spirit, it was shown that the position of FIBN encapsulated in a hydrogel with upconverting materials could be adjusted via magnetic targeting to enable the fluorescent compound of FIBN to reach the desired target, hence resulting in an improved endoscopic image, [161].…”

Photoacoustic Imaging in Gastroenterology: Advances and Needs

“…Dai et al [53] conducted a study in which they used in vivo murine models to obtain molecular images of pancreatic tumor at transmission (forward projection) mode of PA imaging. They used multimodal endoscopic approach combined with targeted multifunctional iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs).…”