Tumor Targeting and Pharmacokinetics of a Near-Infrared Fluorescent-Labeled ?-Opioid Receptor Antagonist Agent, Dmt-Tic-Cy5.

ABSTRACT: Fluorescence molecular imaging can be employed for the development of novel cancer targeting agents. Herein, we investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK) and cellular uptake of Dmt-Tic-Cy5, a delta-opioid receptor (?OR) antagonist-fluorescent dye conjugate, as a tumor-targeting molecular imaging agent. ?OR expression is observed normally in the CNS, and pathologically in some tumors, including lung liver and breast cancers. In vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo experiments were conducted to image and quantify the fluorescence signal associated with Dmt-Tic-Cy5 over time using in vitro and intravital fluorescence microscopy and small animal fluorescence imaging of tumor-bearing mice. We observed specific retention of Dmt-Tic-Cy5 in tumors with maximum uptake in ?OR-expressing positive tumors at 3 h and observable persistence for >96 h; clearance from ?OR nonexpressing negative tumors by 6 h; and systemic clearance from normal organs by 24 h. Live-cell and intravital fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that Dmt-Tic-Cy5 had sustained cell-surface binding lasting at least 24 h with gradual internalization over the initial 6 h following administration. Dmt-Tic-Cy5 is a ?OR-targeted agent that exhibits long-lasting and specific signal in ?OR-expressing tumors, is rapidly cleared from systemic circulation, and is not retained in non-?OR-expressing tissues. Hence, Dmt-Tic-Cy5 has potential as a fluorescent tumor imaging agent.

SUBMITTER: Huynh AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4936951 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature