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

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 fluorophores are retained in lysosomes, providing durable intraoperative imaging in a preclinical murine model of ovarian cancer up to 24 h post-injection. OCTL14 represents a significant departure from the current bioconjugation approach of using a non-targeted fluorophore and would provide surgeons with an indispensable tool to achieve optimal resection.

Quantitative assessment of nipple perfusion with near-infrared fluorescence imaging.

Preserving the nipple-areolar complex with a nipple-sparing mastectomy improves cosmesis compared with skin-sparing mastectomy. However, complications such as necrosis of the nipple-areolar complex significantly affect cosmetic outcome. Many factors influence nipple-areolar perfusion, and no consensus currently exists on optimal incisional choice. This study evaluates 2 nipple-sparing mastectomy incision models using near-infrared fluorescence to assess perfusion quantitatively. The periareolar and radial incisions were compared with 2 control models in Yorkshire pigs (N = 6). Methylene blue and indocyanine green were injected intravenously, and near-infrared fluorescence images were recorded at 3 time points: before surgery, immediately after (0 hour), and 3 days postoperatively. Contrast-to-background ratio was used to assess perfusion. At 72 hours, radial incisions showed a statistically significantly higher perfusion compared with periareolar incisions (P < 0.05). Based on our findings, radial incisions for nipple-sparing mastectomy may be preferable due to higher perfusion; however, clinical trials are necessary for further assessment.

Novel Quantification of Real-Time Lymphatic Clearance: Immediate Lymphatic Reconstruction in a Large-Animal Model.

BACKGROUND: The real-time quantification of lymphatic flow remains elusive. Efforts to provide a metric of direct lymphatic function are not clinically translatable and lack reproducibility. Early reports demonstrate the promise of immediate lymphatic reconstruction (immediate lymphovenous bypass after lymphadenectomy) to reduce the risk of lymphedema development. However, there remains a heightened need to appraise this technique in a clinically translatable large-animal model. The aim of the authors' experiment was to evaluate the role of molecular imaging in the quantification of real-time lymphatic flow after lymphadenectomy, and lymphadenectomy with lymphovenous bypass using novel fluorophores in a swine model. METHODS: A lymphadenectomy or lymphadenectomy with subsequent lymphovenous bypass was performed in 10 female swine. After subdermal fluorophore injection, near-infrared molecular imaging of blood samples was used to evaluate change in lymphatic flow after lymphadenectomy versus after lymphadenectomy with lymphovenous bypass. Continuous imaging evaluating fluorescence of the superficial epigastric vein in the torso and adjacent skin was performed throughout all experiments. Findings between modalities were correlated. RESULTS: The near-infrared dye signal in central and peripheral blood samples was often difficult to separate from background and proved challenging for reliable quantification. Venous and skin near-infrared imaging demonstrated a lymphatic clearance rate decrease of 70 percent after lymphadenectomy versus a decrease by only 30 percent after lymphadenectomy with immediate lymphovenous bypass. CONCLUSIONS: In this article, the authors describe a noninvasive, swine, large-animal model to quantify lymphatic clearance using skin imaging. The authors' findings were consistent with results yielded from real-time imaging of the vein. The authors believe this model may have important implications for eventual direct translation to the clinical setting.