Synthesis of a Novel IR-822-Met near-infrared probe for in vivo tumor diagnosis

• DOI: 10.1007/s10529-016-2275-0
• Publication Date: 2017-01-03T08:34:04Z
• Authors: Chunlong Sun; Hongtao Zhang; Wen Du; Baoqin Wang; Min Ji
• Keywords: Male; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; Optical Imaging; Mice, Nude; Carbocyanines; 3. Good health; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Methionine; 0302 clinical medicine; Cell Line, Tumor; Neoplasms; MCF-7 Cells; Animals; Humans; Fluorescent Dyes

Methionine is a valid target for the treatment of cancer and to achieve in vivo imaging and early diagnosis of tumors, we have synthesized near-infrared (NIR) fluorochrome IR-822-labeled methionine (IR-822-Met).NIR fluorescent dye IR-822 was conjugated with methionine through its amide bond. It had low toxicity to normal cell/tissues. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated its high targeting capability to tumors. The results support the potential of using ligand-modified methionine probe for tumor diagnosis and targeted therapy. The probe also exhibited good photostability, and excellent cell membrane permeability.IR-822-Met is a promising imaging agent for tumor diagnosis, especially in their early stage.