Cancer Biomarkers - Volume 4, issue 6

Authors: Wang, Thomas D.

Article Type: Editorial

DOI: 10.3233/CBM-2008-4601

Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 285-286, 2008

Authors: Elias, Drew R. | Thorek, Daniel L.J. | Chen, Antony K. | Czupryna, Julie | Tsourkas, Andrew

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: With the continued advancements in cellular and molecular biology, especially in the areas of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, the scientific research community is gaining ground in uncovering the tortuous details associated with cancer. Molecular imaging has undergone a similar progression and is showing promise as a future method to aid in the early detection of malignancies, locating metastatic disease, staging tumors, evaluating the availability of therapeutic targets, and monitoring the efficacy of treatment. A subset of molecular imaging contrast agents known as “activatable molecular probes” has generated a particularly high level of excitement in the imaging community. Activatable molecular probes …are designed to elicit a detectable change in signal upon enzymatic activity or in response to specific biomolecular interactions. In many cases, these unique characteristics allow for very high signal-to-background ratios compared with conventional targeted contrast agents and they open up the possibility of imaging intracellular targets. In this review, we will discuss some of the activatable probes recently developed for optical and magnetic resonance imaging platforms and their use in the visualization of cancer biomarkers in vivo. Show more

Keywords: Molecular probes, molecular imaging, activatable probes, molecular beacons

DOI: 10.3233/CBM-2008-4602

Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 287-305, 2008

Authors: Xing, Yun | Rao, Jianghong

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Semiconductor quantum dots are tiny light-emitting nanocrystals (2–10 nm) that have captivated researchers in the biomedical field in the last decade. Compared to organic dyes and fluorescent proteins, quantum dots (QDs) have unique optical properties such as tunable emission spectra, improved brightness, superior photostability, and simultaneous excitation of multiple fluorescence colors. Since the first successful reports on biological use of QDs a decade ago, QDs and their bioconjugates have been successfully applied in various imaging applications including fixed cell labeling, imaging of live cell dynamics, in situ tissue profiling, fluorescence detection, sensing and in vivo animal imaging. In this review, …we will cover the optical properties of QDs, the biofunctionization strategies, their in vitro diagnostic applications and in vivo imaging applications. In addition, we will discuss the making of a new class of QDs – the self-illuminating QDs and their in vivo imaging and sensing applications. We will conclude with the issues and perspectives on QDs as in vivo imaging probes. Show more

Keywords: Molecular probes, quantum dots, in vivo imaging, optics

DOI: 10.3233/CBM-2008-4603

Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 307-319, 2008

Authors: Muguruma, Naoki | Ito, Susumu

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The goal of our study was to develop a method for molecular imaging of the gastrointestinal tract using an infrared fluorescence endoscope (IRFE) and antibodies labeled with an indocyanine green (ICG) derivative to detect cancerous tissue. The IRFE comprised an infrared endoscope equipped with excitation (710–790 nm) and barrier (810–920 nm) filters. We developed ICG-N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide ester (ICG-sulfo-OSu) and 3-ICG-acyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione (ICG-ATT) as infrared fluorescent-labeling reagents, and anti-human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antibody and MUC1 antibody were labeled with the ICG-derivatives. Freshly resected specimens of gastric cancer were observed by IRFE after reaction with ICG-derivative-labeled antibodies. Positive fluorescence was observed at the tumor …location by IRFE, and the immunofluorescent images correlated well with the tumor sites. The immunofluorescence studies suggested that the intensity of the infrared fluorescence of the ICG-ATT-labeled MUC1 antibody is stronger than the ICG-sulfo-OSu-labeled MUC1 antibody. We concluded that specific antibodies for gastrointestinal cancer labeled with an ICG-derivative accompanied by a reinforcing agent and an optimal electronic device can generate a strong enough fluorescent signal to visualize cancer proteins. Show more

Keywords: Infrared, molecular imaging, endoscope, fluorescence, antibody

DOI: 10.3233/CBM-2008-4604

Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 321-328, 2008

Authors: Hsiung, Pei-Lin | Wang, Thomas

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Colorectal carcinoma continues to be a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality despite widespread adoption of screening methods. Targeted detection and therapy using recent advances in our knowledge of in vivo cancer biomarkers promise to significantly improve methods for early detection, risk stratification, and therapeutic intervention. The behavior of molecular targets in transformed tissues is being comprehensively assessed using new techniques of gene expression profiling and high throughput analyses. The identification of promising targets is stimulating the development of novel molecular probes, including significant progress in the field of activatable and peptide probes. These probes are being evaluated in …small animal models of colorectal neoplasia and recently in the clinic. Furthermore, innovations in optical imaging instrumentation are resulting in the scaling down of size for endoscope compatibility. Advances in target identification, probe development, and novel instruments are progressing rapidly, and the integration of these technologies has a promising future in molecular medicine. Show more

Keywords: Colon, adenocarcinoma, targeted, molecular imaging, biomarker, endoscopy

DOI: 10.3233/CBM-2008-4605

Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 329-340, 2008

Authors: Lu, Shaoying | Wang, Thomas D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The emergence of in vivo cancer biomarkers is promising tool for early detection, risk stratification, and therapeutic intervention in the esophagus, where adenocarcinoma is increasing at a rate that is faster than any other in industrialized nations. Exciting advances in target identification, probe development, and optical instrumentation are creating tremendous new opportunities for advancing techniques of molecular imaging. Progress in these areas is being made with small animal models of esophageal cancer using surgical approaches to induce reflux of acid and bile, and these findings are beginning to be evaluated in the clinic. Further identification of relevant targets, characterization of …specific probes, and development of endoscopic imaging technologies are needed to further this direction in the field of molecular medicine. In the future, new methods that use in vivo cancer biomarkers for the early detection of neoplastic changes in the setting of Barrett's esophagus will become available. Show more

Keywords: Esophagus, adenocarcinoma, biomarkers, peptides, rat, endoscopy

DOI: 10.3233/CBM-2008-4606

Citation: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 4, no. 6, pp. 341-350, 2008