Detection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in an Orthotopic Patient-Derived Xenograft with an Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-Specific Peptide.

ABSTRACT: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has emerged as a major contributor to the worldwide cancer burden. Improved methods are needed for early cancer detection and image-guided surgery. Peptides have small dimensions that can overcome delivery challenges to achieve high tumor concentrations and deep penetration. We used phage display methods to biopan against the extra-cellular domain of the purified EpCAM protein, and used IRDye800 as a near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore. The 12-mer sequence HPDMFTRTHSHN was identified, and specific binding to EpCAM was validated with HCC cells in vitro. A binding affinity of k_d = 67 nM and onset of k = 0.136 min^-1 (7.35 min) were determined. Serum stability was measured with a half-life of T_1/2 = 2.6 h. NIR fluorescence images show

SUBMITTER: Wu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11352241 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature