NIR-II Aza-BODIPY Dyes Bioconjugated to Monoclonal Antibody Trastuzumab for Selective Imaging of HER2-Positive Ovarian Cancer

J Med Chem. 2023 Apr 13;66(7):5185-5195. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00100. Epub 2023 Mar 30.

Abstract

Using fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) to cytoreductive surgery helps achieving complete resection of microscopic ovarian tumors. The use of visible and NIR-I fluorophores has led to beneficial results in clinical trials; however, involving NIR-II dyes seems to outperform those benefits due to the deeper tissue imaging and higher signal/noise ratio attained within the NIR-II optical window. In this context, we developed NIR-II emitting dyes targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive ovarian tumors by coupling water-soluble NIR-II aza-BODIPY dyes to the FDA-approved anti-HER2 antibody, namely, trastuzumab. These bioconjugated NIR-II-emitting dyes displayed a prolonged stability in serum and a maintained affinity toward HER2 in vitro. We obtained selective targeting of HER2 positive tumors (SKOV-3) in vivo, with a favorable tumor accumulation. We demonstrated the fluorescence properties and the specific HER2 binding of the bioconjugated dyes in vivo and thus their potential for NIR-II FGS in the cancer setting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal* / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Ovarian Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Trastuzumab / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Trastuzumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • azaBDPBA compound
  • Fluorescent Dyes