Molecular probes that selectively highlight pancreatic cancer (PC) tissue have the potential to improve pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) margin assessment through the selective highlighting of individual PC cells. A simple and unique family of systematically modified red and near-infrared fluorescent probes that exhibit a field-effect-derived redshift were synthesized. Two of thirteen probes distributed to  healthy mouse pancreas in vivon. One selectively accumulated in genetically modified mouse models of PDAC. The probe exhibited intracellular accumulation and enabled visualization of four levels of the structure, including the whole organ, resected tissue, individual cells, and subcellular organelles. In contrast to the small-molecule probes reported previously, it possesses an inherent affinity toward PDAC cells and thus does not require conjugation to any targeting agent. Tissue processing time is short enough for potebtial ex-vivo intraoperative analysis. Intraoperative assessment of PDAC margin status during surgery is currently challenging. Nearly 75% of all patients have residual disease from margins not assessed by frozen section analysis.

Far-red and near-infrared seminaphthofluorophores for targeted imaging of pancreatic cancer

256th National Meeting (2018)

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