A pan-cancer agent for screening, resection and wound monitoring via NIR and SWIR imaging

TL;DR

A new dye called CJ215 is shown to effectively highlight tumors and monitor wounds using advanced imaging techniques, offering potential for cancer surgery and recovery.

Contribution

The study introduces CJ215 as a versatile apoptosis-targeting dye suitable for both NIR and SWIR imaging in multiple cancer models.

Findings

CJ215 provides high tumor contrast in various cancer models using SWIR imaging.

The dye is cleared via the kidneys and shows minimal uptake in healthy organs.

CJ215 enables non-contact wound monitoring through commercial bandages.

Abstract

Fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) facilitates real time tumor delineation and is being rapidly established clinically. FGS efficacy is tied to the utilized dye and provided tumor contrast over healthy tissue. Apoptosis, a cancer hallmark, is a desirable target for tumor delineation. Here, we preclinically in vitro and in vivo, validate an apoptosis sensitive commercial carbocyanine dye (CJ215), with absorption and emission spectra suitable for near infrared (NIR, 650–900nm) and shortwave infrared (SWIR, 900–1700nm) fluorescence imaging (NIRFI, SWIRFI). High contrast SWIRFI for solid tumor delineation is demonstrated in multiple murine and human models including breast, prostate, colon, fibrosarcoma and intraperitoneal colorectal metastasis. Organ necropsy and imaging highlighted renal clearance of CJ215. SWIRFI and CJ215 delineated all tumors under ambient lighting with a tumor-to-muscle ratio up to 100 and tumor-to-liver ratio up to 18, from 24 to 168 h post intravenous injection with minimal uptake in healthy organs. Additionally, SWIRFI and CJ215 achieved non-contact quantifiable wound monitoring through commercial bandages. CJ215 provides tumor screening, guided resection, and wound healing assessment compatible with existing and emerging clinical solutions.

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