Nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most frequent type of lung cancer, with early surgical treatment proving vital for prolonged patient survival. However, precise visualization of NSCLC remains a challenge due to limited molecular imaging probes, the unique anatomical structure of the lungs, and respiratory movement interference. In this study, we investigated the potential utility of CD36, which is highly expressed in NSCLC, as an imaging target. A selective and water-soluble fluorescent probe, MPA-ABT-510, was successfully constructed by coupling ABT-510 with MPA, a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dye. Molecular docking analysis shows that MPA-ABT-510 possesses strong binding affinity to the CD36 protein, with specific hydrogen bond interactions at defined amino acid residues. In vitro assays reveals that the fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled peptide ABT-510 specifically binds to the CD36-high expressing NSCLC cell lines H1299 and A549. In vivo imaging verifies that the MPA-ABT-510 efficiently accumulates in the tumor site with a distinct fluorescent signal. Ex vivo imaging revealed that tumor-to-lung fluorescence ratios for subcutaneous and orthotopic H1299 mouse models were 7.19 ± 0.73 and 1.91 ± 0.42, respectively, while those for A549 mice were 5.53 ± 0.64 and 1.77 ± 0.41, respectively. Biodistribution analysis demonstrated efficient MPA-ABT-510 uptake in H1299 and A549 liver metastases models with tumor-to-liver fluorescence ratios of 2.47 ± 0.48 and 2.19 ± 0.22, respectively. High MPA-ABT-510 accumulation was evident in A549 intestinal metastases models, as evidenced by tumor-to-colorectal fluorescence ratios of 4.27 ± 0.11. MPA-ABT-510 exhibits superior imaging capabilities with minimal safety concerns, so it is a promising candidate for NSCLC surgical navigation.

The standard of care approach to identify sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in clinically non-metastatic cutaneous melanoma patients is technetium (Tc)-based lymphoscintigraphy. This technique is associated with radiation exposure, a long intervention time, high costs, and limited availability. Indocyanine green (ICG)-based near-infrared fluorescence imaging offers a potential alternative if proven to be of comparable diagnostic accuracy. While several clinical cohorts have compared these modalities, no systematic review exists that provides a quantitative analysis of their results. Hence, a systematic literature review was conducted in December 2023 considering clinical studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of ICG and Tc for sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma patients. Three hundred nineteen studies were identified and further screened in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, resulting in seven studies being included in the final meta-analysis. Tc identified a significantly higher number of SLNs and metastatic SLNs in prospective studies only. However, in the overall meta-analysis of all included comparative studies, no significant differences were found regarding the identification of metastatic patients or the false negative rate (FNR). ICG may be a non-inferior alternative to Tc for intraoperative guidance in sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous melanoma patients. Future randomized controlled trials are needed, especially regarding the preoperative, transcutaneous identification of the affected lymph node basin.

We developed a novel site-specific bimodal MRI/fluorescence nanoparticle contrast agent targeting gastrin-releasing peptide receptors (GRPrs), which are overexpressed in aggressive prostate cancers. Biocompatible ultra-small superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles were synthesized using glucose and casein coatings, followed by conjugation with a Cy7.5-K-8AOC-BBN [7-14] peptide conjugate. The resulting USPIO(Cy7.5)-BBN nanoparticles were purified by 100 kDa membrane dialysis and fully characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relaxivity, as well as evaluated for in vitro and in vivo binding specificity and imaging efficacy in PC-3 prostate cancer cells and xenografted tumor-bearing mice. The USPIO(Cy7.5)-BBN nanoparticles had a core diameter of 4.93 ± 0.31 nm and a hydrodynamic diameter of 35.56 ± 0.58 nm. The r2 relaxivity was measured to be 70.2 ± 2.5 s-1 mM-1 at 7T MRI. The Cy7.5-K-8AOC-BBN [7-14] peptide-to-nanoparticle ratio was determined to be 21:1. The in vitro GRPr inhibitory binding (IC50) value was 2.5 ± 0.7 nM, indicating a very high binding affinity of USPIO(Cy7.5)-BBN to the GRPr on PC-3 cells. In vivo MRI showed significant tumor-to-muscle contrast enhancement in the uptake group at 4 h (31.1 ± 3.4%) and 24 h (25.7 ± 2.1%) post-injection compared to the blocking group (4 h: 15.3 ± 2.0% and 24 h: -2.8 ± 6.8%; p < 0.005). In vivo and ex vivo near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging revealed significantly increased fluorescence in tumors in the uptake group compared to the blocking group. These findings demonstrate the high specificity of bimodal USPIO(Cy7.5)-BBN nanoparticles towards GRPr-expressing PC-3 cells, suggesting their potential for targeted imaging in aggressive prostate cancer.

Recently, cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells have a broad application prospect in the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of tumors owing to their unique characteristics of killing and targeting malignant tumors. Herein, we report a facile strategy for synthesis of monodisperse gold nanostars (GNSs) based on PEGylation and co-loaded with the photosensitizer chlorin e6 (Ce6) to form GNSs-PEG@Ce6 NPs. Then employing CIK cells loading the as-prepared GNSs-PEG@Ce6 NPs to fabricate a CIK cells-based drug delivery system (GNSs-PEG@Ce6-CIK) for lung cancer. Among them, GNSs was functioned as transport media, Ce6 acted as the near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging agent and photodynamic therapy (PDT), and CIK cells served as targeting vectors for immunotherapy, which can increase the efficiency of tumor enrichment and treatment effect. The results of cellular experiments demonstrated that GNSs-PEG@Ce6 NPs had good dispersibility, water solubility and low toxicity under physiological conditions, and the cultured CIK cells had strong anti-tumor properties. Subsequently, GNSs-PEG@Ce6-CIK could effectively inhibit the growth of A549 cells under the exposure of 633 nm laser, which showed stronger killing effect than that of GNSs-PEG@Ce6 NPs or CIK cells. In addition, they showed good tumor targeting and tumor synergistic killing activityin vivo. Therefore, GNSs-PEG@Ce6-CIK was constructed for targeted NIR fluorescence imaging, enhanced PDT and immunotherapy of lung cancer.

Nitroreductase (NTR) overexpression often occurs in tumors, highlighting the significance of effective NTR detection. Despite the utilization of various optical methods for this purpose, the absence of an efficient tumor-targeting optical probe for NTR detection remains a challenge. In this research, a novel tumor-targeting probe (Cy-Bio-NO2) is developed to perform dual-modal NTR detection using near-infrared fluorescence and photoacoustic techniques. This probe exhibits exceptional sensitivity and selectivity to NTR. Upon the reaction with NTR, Cy-Bio-NO2 demonstrates a distinct fluorescence \"off-on\" response at 800 nm, with an impressive detection limit of 12 ng/mL. Furthermore, the probe shows on-off photoacoustic signal with NTR. Cy-Bio-NO2 has been successfully employed for dual-modal NTR detection in living cells, specifically targeting biotin receptor-positive cancer cells for imaging purposes. Notably, this probe effectively detects tumor hypoxia through dual-modal imaging in tumor-bearing mice. The strategy of biotin incorporation markedly enhances the probe\'s tumor-targeting capability, facilitating its engagement in dual-modal imaging at tumor sites. This imaging capacity holds substantial promise as an accurate tool for cancer diagnosis.

UNASSIGNED: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of using indocyanine green (ICG) injected intracutaneously through the lower limbs and perineum for visualized tracking, localization, and qualitative assessment of pelvic lymph nodes (LNs) in bladder cancer to achieve their accurate resection.
UNASSIGNED: First, ICG was injected into the LN metastasis model mice lower limbs, and real-time and dynamic in vivo and ex vivo imaging was conducted by using a near-infrared fluorescence imaging system. Additionally, 26 patients with bladder cancer were enrolled and divided into intracutaneous group and transurethral group. A near-infrared fluorescence imaging device with internal and external imaging probes was used to perform real-time tracking, localization, and resection of the pelvic LNs.
UNASSIGNED: The mice normal LNs and the metastatic LNs exhibited fluorescence. The metastatic LNs showed a significantly higher signal-to-background ratio than the normal LNs (3.9 ± 0.2 vs. 2.0 ± 0.1, p < 0.05). In the intracutaneous group, the accuracy rate of fluorescent-labeled LNs was 97.6%, with an average of 11.3 ± 2.4 LNs resected per patient. Six positive LNs were detected in three patients (18.8%). In the transurethral group, the accuracy rate of fluorescent-labeled LNs was 84.4%, with an average of 8.6 ± 2.3 LNs resected per patient. Two positive LNs were detected in one patient (12.5%).
UNASSIGNED: Following the intracutaneous injection of ICG into the lower limbs and perineum, the dye accumulates in pelvic LNs through lymphatic reflux. By using near-infrared fluorescence laparoscopic fusion imaging, physicians can perform real-time tracking, localization, and precise resection of pelvic LNs.

IR-783, a commercially available near-infrared (NIR) heptamethine cyanine dye, has been used for selective tumor imaging in breast, prostate, cervical, and brain cancers in vitro and in vivo. Although the molecular mechanism behind the structure-inherent tumor targeting of IR-783 has not been well-demonstrated, IR-783 has unique properties such as a good water solubility and low cytotoxicity compared with other commercial heptamethine cyanine dyes. The goal of this study is to evaluate the phototherapeutic efficacy of IR-783 as a tumor-targeted photothermal agent in human colorectal cancer xenografts. The results demonstrate that IR-783 shows both the subcellular localization in HT-29 cancer cells and preferential accumulation in HT-29 xenografted tumors 24 h after its intravenous administration. Furthermore, the IR-783 dye reveals the superior capability to convert NIR light into heat energy under 808 nm NIR laser irradiation in vitro and in vivo, thereby inducing cancer cell death. Taken together, these findings suggest that water-soluble anionic IR-783 can be used as a bifunctional phototherapeutic agent for the targeted imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT) of colorectal cancer. Therefore, this work provides a simple and effective approach to develop biocompatible, hydrophilic, and tumor-targetable PTT agents for targeted cancer phototherapy.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of ureteral navigation using intra-ureteric indocyanine green (ICG) and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging during transvaginal high uterosacral ligament suspension for prolapse repair to reduce the risk of iatrogenic ureteral injury.
METHODS: A cystoscope was inserted into the bladder, the tip of a 6-F open-end ureteral catheter was inserted into the ureteral orifices, and ICG was instilled into the ureters. The ureteral path was then clearly identified using NIRF imaging. Sutures were safely placed in the uterosacral ligaments at the level of the ischial spine, taking advantage of direct ureteral visualization.
RESULTS: At the end of the procedure, diagnostic cystoscopy was performed to confirm ureteral patency. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed.
CONCLUSIONS: Intra-ureteric ICG-NIRF imaging represents a simple, inexpensive, and reproducible trick for intraoperative ureteral detection, and could reassure surgeons during difficult operations, for instance, in the case of severe prolapse and/or when ureteral course abnormalities are expected.

Despite advancements in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, the prognosis remains unfavorable for patients with distant liver metastasis. Fluorescence molecular imaging with specific probes is increasingly used to guide CRC surgical resection in real-time and treatment planning. Here, we demonstrate the targeted imaging capacity of an MPA-PEG4-N3-Ang II probe labeled with near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dye targeting the angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AGTR1) that is significantly upregulated in CRC. MPA-PEG4-N3-Ang II was highly selective and specific to in vitro tumor cells and in vivo tumors in a mouse CRC xenograft model. The favorable ex vivo imaging and in vivo biodistribution of MPA-PEG4-N3-Ang II afforded tumor-specific accumulation with low background and >10 contrast tumor-to-colorectal values in multiple subcutaneous CRC models at 8 h following injection. Biodistribution analysis confirmed the probe\'s high uptake in HT29 and HCT116 orthotopic and liver metastatic models of CRC with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values of tumor-to-colorectal and -liver fluorescence of 5.8 ± 0.6, 5.3 ± 0.7, and 2.7 ± 0.5, 2.6 ± 0.5, respectively, enabling high-contrast intraoperative tumor visualization for surgical navigation. Given its rapid tumor targeting, precise tumor boundary delineation, durable tumor retention and docking study, MPA-PEG4-N3-Ang II is a promising high-contrast imaging agent for the clinical detection of CRC.

The fibrosis process after myocardial infarction (MI) results in a decline in cardiac function due to fibrotic collagen deposition and contrast agents\' metabolic disorders, posing a significant challenge to conventional imaging strategies in making heart damage clear in the fibrosis microenvironment. To address this issue, we developed an imaging strategy. Specifically, we pretreated myocardial fibrotic collagen with collagenase I combined with human serum albumin (HSA-C) and subsequently visualized the site of cardiac injury by near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging using an optical contrast agent (CI, CRT-indocyanine green) targeting transferrin receptor 1 peptides (CRT). The key point of this strategy is that pretreatment with HSA-C can reduce background signal interference in the fibrotic tissue while enhancing CI uptake at the heart lesion site, making the boundary between the injured heart tissue and the normal myocardium clearer. Our results showed that compared to that in the untargeted group, the normalized fluorescence intensity of cardiac damage detected by NIR in the targeted group increased 1.28-fold. The normalized fluorescence intensity increased 1.21-fold in the pretreatment group of the targeted groups. These data demonstrate the feasibility of applying pretreated fibrotic collagen and NIR contrast agents targeting TfR1 to identify ferroptosis at sites of cardiac injury, and its clinical value in the management of patients with MI needs further study.