Near-infrared fluorescence imaging using a protease-specific probe for the detection of colon tumors.
Early tumor detection is crucial for the prevention of colon cancer. Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging using a target-activatable probe may permit earlier disease detection. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) participate in tumorigenesis and tumor growth. The aim of this study was to determine whether NIRF imaging using an MMP-activatable probe can detect colon tumors at early stages.



WE UTILIZED TWO MURINE COLON CANCER MODELS: a sporadic colon cancer model induced by azoxymethane (AOM), and a colitis-associated cancer model induced by a combination of AOM and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Colonic lesions were analyzed by histologic examination, Western blotting, immunohistochemical staining, and NIRF imaging using an MMP-activatable probe.



Multiple variable-sized tumors developed in both models and progressed from adenomas to adenocarcinomas over time. At the early stage of the AOM/DSS model, diffuse inflammation was observed within the tumors. MMP expression increased progressively through normal, inflammation, adenoma, and adenocarcionoma stages. NIRF signal intensities were strongly correlated with each tumor stage from adenoma to adenocarcinoma. NIRF imaging also distinguished tumors from inflamed mucosa.



NIRF imaging using a protease-activatable probe may be a useful tool for early tumor detection. This approach could translate to improve the endoscopic detection of colon tumors, especially in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Department of Internal Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea.
Soon Man
SM
Yoon
Seung-Jae
SJ
Myung
Byong Duk
BD
Ye
In-Wha
IW
Kim
Nam Gon
NG
Lee
Yeon Mi
YM
Ryu
Kyeongsoon
K
Park
Kwangmeyung
K
Kim
Ick Chan
IC
Kwon
Young Soo
YS
Park
Chan-Sik
CS
Park
Dae Hyuk
DH
Moon
Do Hoon
DH
Kim
Mi Young
MY
Do
Jeong-Sik
JS
Byeon
Suk-Kyun
SK
Yang
Jin-Ho
JH
Kim
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