Breast cancer tumors in deep tissue imaging with bi-modal NIR/MRI probe

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15577
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 50020:Tumor diagnostics and therapeutics-related
• Research Institution: Kawasaki Institute of Industrial Promotion Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (2023); Tokyo University of Science (2021-2022)
• Principal Investigator: DOAN THI KIM DUNG 公益財団法人川崎市産業振興財団(ナノ医療イノベーションセンター), ナノ医療イノベーションセンター, 研究員 (70838870)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: NIR / MRI / Herceptin / IR-1061

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The research succeeded to develop bimodal imaging probe from organic compounds. The nanostructure design of polymer micelles based on PLGA-b-PEG introduced with an OTN-NIR fluorescent dye and Gd-DOTA as a bimodal, OTN-NIR fluorescence, and MRI imaging probe with ca. 20 nm size. It demonstrated well bright OTN-NIR fluorescence and MRI contrast enhancement to depict the blood circulation and to observe the organs in live mice. The probe exhibited absorption and emission in
OTN-NIR and T1 contrast enhancement effect in MRI. The imaging results revealed that the Gd-DOTA introduction ratio and locations are important to control the biological response of the probe without losing the imaging contrasts.
The Herceptin antibody was also conjugated on the surface of the imaging probe and showed the potential to selectively target HER2 breast cancer cells.

Free Research Field

Bioimaging

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

The development of a bi-modal NIR/MRI probe for imaging breast cancer enhances diagnostic precision, enables early-accurate tumor detection, and reduces the need for invasive procedures.