Fast and Durable Intraoperative Near-infrared Imaging of Ovarian Cancer Using Ultrabright Squaraine Fluorophores.

ABSTRACT: The residual tumor after surgery is the most significant prognostic factor of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence-guided surgery is actively utilized for tumor localization and complete resection during surgery. However, currently available contrast-enhancing agents display low on-target binding, unfavorable pharmacokinetics, and toxicity, thus not ideal for clinical use. Here we report ultrabright and stable squaraine fluorophores with optimal pharmacokinetics by introducing an asymmetric molecular conformation and surface charges for rapid transporter-mediated cellular uptake. Among the tested, OCTL14 shows low serum binding and rapid distribution into cancer tissue via organic cation transporters (OCTs). Additionally, the charged squaraine fluoropho

SUBMITTER: Fukuda T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9007913 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature