Aim
To obtain a complete surgical resection (R0 resection), we investigated the use of a fluorescent imaging probe that targets the integrin subtype αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math>, which is upregulated in many kinds of epithelial cancer, using animal models. Approach: αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math> expression was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunoprotein blotting of human tissues for malignancy. Protein expression localization was observed. αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math> and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were quantified by PCR and immunoprotein blotting, and the biosafety of targeting the αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math> probe material was examined using Cell Counting Kit-8 assays. Indocyanine green (ICG) was used as a control to determine the localization of the probe at the cellular level. In vivo animal experiments were conducted through tail vein injections to evaluate the probe's imaging effect and to confirm its targeting in tissue sections.
Conclusions
The ICG-αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math> peptide probe is an exceptional and sensitive imaging tool for HNSCC that can distinguish among tumor, normal, and inflammatory tissues.
Results
αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math> expression was higher than EGFR expression in HNSCC, and the probe showed good targeting in in vivo and in vitro experiments with a good safety profile. Conclusions: The ICG-αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math> peptide probe is an exceptional and sensitive imaging tool for HNSCC that can distinguish among tumor, normal, and inflammatory tissues.
Significance
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a particularly poor prognosis. Improving the surgical resection boundary, reducing local recurrence, and ultimately ameliorating the overall survival rate are the treatment goals. Aim: To obtain a complete surgical resection (R0 resection), we investigated the use of a fluorescent imaging probe that targets the integrin subtype αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math>, which is upregulated in many kinds of epithelial cancer, using animal models. Approach: αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math> expression was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunoprotein blotting of human tissues for malignancy. Protein expression localization was observed. αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math> and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were quantified by PCR and immunoprotein blotting, and the biosafety of targeting the αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math> probe material was examined using Cell Counting Kit-8 assays. Indocyanine green (ICG) was used as a control to determine the localization of the probe at the cellular level. In vivo animal experiments were conducted through tail vein injections to evaluate the probe's imaging effect and to confirm its targeting in tissue sections. Results: αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math> expression was higher than EGFR expression in HNSCC, and the probe showed good targeting in in vivo and in vitro experiments with a good safety profile. Conclusions: The ICG-αvβ6<math><mrow><mi>α</mi><mi>v</mi><mi>β</mi><mn>6</mn></mrow></math> peptide probe is an exceptional and sensitive imaging tool for HNSCC that can distinguish among tumor, normal, and inflammatory tissues.