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Tumor Margin Detection Using Quantitative NIRF Molecular Imaging Targeting EpCAM Validated by Far Red Gene Reporter iRFP

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Abstract

Purpose

Wide-field surgical excision reduces the chance of residual disease, but can also lead to disfigurement and devastating morbidities when resection is close to critical structures. We hypothesize that near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging can enable accurate detection of tumor margins for image-guided resection.

Experimental Design

An orthotopic model of human prostate cancer (PCa) was used to assess primary tumor margins using a NIRF-labeled antibody against epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). PCa cells stably expressing far red fluorescent gene reporter, iRFP, enabled colocalization with NIRF signals for direct assessment of tumor margins.

Results

Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, far red fluorescence was validated against standard pathology of primary and metastatic lesions with >96 % accuracy. Primary tumor margins were more accurately detected by quantitative NIRF imaging using the EpCAM-targeting antibody as compared to a NIRF-labeled isotype control antibody.

Conclusions

NIRF molecular imaging may enable real-time and accurate assessment of tumor margins.

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported in parts by the Wilson Foundation of Dallas Texas and U54 CA136404 (EMS). We thank Dr. Ron Karni for his critical comments.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare to have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Molecular Imaging, The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center, 1825 Pressler Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Banghe Zhu, Grace Wu, Holly Robinson, Nathaniel Wilganowski, Mary A. Hall, Sukhen C. Ghosh, Kenneth L. Pinkston, Ali Azhdarinia, Barrett R. Harvey & Eva M. Sevick-Muraca

Authors
  1. Banghe Zhu
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  2. Grace Wu
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  3. Holly Robinson
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  4. Nathaniel Wilganowski
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  5. Mary A. Hall
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  6. Sukhen C. Ghosh
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  7. Kenneth L. Pinkston
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  8. Ali Azhdarinia
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  9. Barrett R. Harvey
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  10. Eva M. Sevick-Muraca
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Correspondence to Eva M. Sevick-Muraca.

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Zhu, B., Wu, G., Robinson, H. et al. Tumor Margin Detection Using Quantitative NIRF Molecular Imaging Targeting EpCAM Validated by Far Red Gene Reporter iRFP. Mol Imaging Biol 15, 560–568 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-013-0637-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11307-013-0637-8

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