Photoacoustics (Jun 2022)

Multi-modal imaging for uptake of peptide ligand specific for CD44 by hepatocellular carcinoma

  • Xiaoli Wu,
  • Xiaoqing Meng,
  • Tse-Shao Chang,
  • Shuo Feng,
  • Miki Lee,
  • Sangeeta Jaiswal,
  • Eun-Young K. Choi,
  • Lam Tran,
  • Hui Jiang,
  • Thomas D. Wang

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26
p. 100355

Abstract

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Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rising steadily in incidence, and more effective methods are needed for early cancer detection and image-guided surgery. Methods: We used a structural model to optimize the peptide sequence. Specific binding was validated in vitro with knockdown, competition, and co-localization assays. Multi-modal imaging was performed to validate specific binding in vivo in orthotopically-implanted human xenograft tumors. Results: Binding properties of WKGWSYLWTQQA were characterized by an apparent dissociation constant of kd = 43 nM, and an apparent association time constant of k = 0.26 min−1. The target-to-background ratio was significantly higher for the target versus control for both modalities. Ex-vivo evaluation using human HCC specimens supported the ability of the peptide to distinguish HCC from other liver pathologies. Conclusions: We have identified a peptide specific for CD44 with properties that are promising for clinical translation to image HCC in vivo.

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