Polydopamine nanoparticle platforms for precise lymph node visualization in metastatic cancer
발표자
박혜선 (숭실대학교)
연구책임자
심가용 (숭실대학교)
공동저자
박혜선 (숭실대학교), 심가용 (숭실대학교)
초록
내용
Cancer frequently metastasizes in other parts of the body through lymph nodes. A possible approach to suppress metastasis is to remove metastatic lymph nodes, but to prevent side effects such as lymphedema, it is important to detect only the metastatic lymph nodes. Indocyanine green (ICG), widely used for lymph node detection, is limited by its short half-life, rapid photodegradation, and imprecise identification. Polydopamine nanoparticles (PNs) were employed as a delivery method to address these limitations. PNs have strengths such as biocompatibility, facile fabrication method, and surface adhesion, and are used in research such as fluorescence imaging and cancer treatment. NP size influences lymphatic accumulation for lymph node assessment. Smaller NP/ICGs showed greater fluorescence intensity and retention in metastatic lymph nodes in mice. These results establish the rational design approach and potential of PNs as a bioimaging agent for detecting metastatic lymph nodes.