The Emerging Role of CD24 in Cancer Theranostics—A Novel Target for Fluorescence Image-Guided Surgery in Ovarian Cancer and Beyond

Abstract

Complete cytoreductive surgery is the cornerstone of the treatment of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The application of fluorescence image-guided surgery (FIGS) allows for the increased intraoperative visualization and delineation of malignant lesions by using fluorescently labeled targeting biomarkers, thereby improving intraoperative guidance. CD24, a small glycophosphatidylinositol-anchored cell surface receptor, is overexpressed in approximately 70% of solid cancers, and has been proposed as a prognostic and therapeutic tumor-specific biomarker for EOC. Recently, preclinical studies have demonstrated the benefit of CD24-targeted contrast agents for non-invasive fluorescence imaging, as well as improved tumor resection by employing CD24-targeted FIGS in orthotopic patient-derived xenograft models of EOC. The successful detection of miniscule metastases denotes CD24 as a promising biomarker for the application of fluorescence-guided surgery in EOC patients. The aim of this review is to present the clinical and preclinically evaluated biomarkers for ovarian cancer FIGS, highlight the strengths of CD24, and propose a future bimodal approach combining CD24-targeted fluorescence imaging with radionuclide detection and targeted therapy.

Tetraspanins are unevenly distributed across single extracellular vesicles and bias sensitivity to multiplexed cancer biomarkers

“…For this reason, we wanted to identify if multiplex bias by tetraspanin capture could affect the identification of diagnostically relevant proteins on SK-OV-3 EVs. Three markers frequently associated with OvCa, CD24, EpCAM, and Her2 [41], have also been utilized to identify the diagnostic efficacy of OvCa EVs [42,43].…”

Fluorochrome Selection for Imaging Intraoperative Ovarian Cancer Probes

“…To a stirred solution of tert-butyl (12-((7-nitrobenzo[c] [1,2,5]oxadiazol-4-yl)amino)dodecyl) carbamate (11c) (0.27 mmol) in anhydrous CH 2 Cl 2 (10 mL), trifluoroacetic acid (1.35 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at r.t. for 5 h. After this time, 5% NaOH was added until pH = 14.…”

“…The addition of anti-angiogenetic agents and inhibitors of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) molecules involved in DNA-repair processes as maintenance therapy is based on phenotypic selection criteria and the presence of mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, respectively. Overall, the surgical outcome remains a cornerstone in EOC treatment, presenting the most significant factor for prolonged survival [1,2].…”

The Protein Landscape of Mucinous Ovarian Cancer: Towards a Theranostic

“…Clinically, several established PSMA radiotracers (based commonly on γ-emission) have been evaluated and have shown effective uptake in PSMA-positive lymph nodes [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. Moreover, CD24 is a prognostic and therapeutic tumour biomarker found in 70% of EOC cases [ 45 ]. When compared to white light and palpation, intraoperative CD-24-targeted fluorescence IGS demonstrated improved surgical outcomes in orthoptic high-grade SOC xenograft models, indicating the potential of IGS in EOC [ 46 ].…”