title: In vivo fiber-based multicolor photoacoustic detection and photothermal purging of metastasis in sentinel lymph nodes targeted by nanoparticles.
abstract: This report introduces a novel diagnostic and therapeutic platform for in vivo non-invasive detection and treatment of metastases in sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) at single cell level using an integrated system of multicolor photoacoustic (PA) lymph flow cytometry, PA lymphography, absorption image cytometry, and photothermal (PT) therapy. A melanoma-bearing mouse model was used to demonstrate the capability of this platform for real-time lymphatic mapping, counting of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in prenodal lymphatics, and detecting metastasis in SLNs and its purging. The detection and ablation of non-pigmented breast cancer cells in SLNs was achieved by labeling them with nanoparticles. The association between DTC count and SLN metastasis progression supports lymphatic DTCs as a novel prognostic marker of metastasis. The fiber-based portable PA device may replace the conventional SLN(s) excision and histology-based staging. The earliest detection of DTCs in the lymphatic vessels before the establishment of nodal metastasis may prevent metastasis by well-timed ablation of DTCs.
authors.affiliation: Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Phillips Classic Laser & Nanomedicine Laboratories, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. EGalanzha@uams.edu
authors.forename: Ekaterina I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Galanzha
authors.forename: Mimi S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kokoska
authors.forename: Evgeny V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Shashkov
authors.forename: Jin-Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Valery V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Tuchin
authors.forename: Vladimir P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Zharov
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000818:Animals; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003116:Color; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008220:Lymphography; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors