(2014) Hyun, Hoon; Park, Min Ho; Owens, Eric A.; Wada, Hideyuki; Henary, Maged; Handgraaf, Hein J.M.; Vahrmeijer, Alexander L.; Frangioni, John; Choi, Hak Soo
The typical method for creating targeted contrast agents requires covalent conjugation of separate targeting and fluorophore domains. In this study, we demonstrate that it is possible create tissue-specific near-infrared fluorophores using the inherent chemical structure. Thus, a single compact molecule performs both targeting and imaging. We use this strategy to solve a major problem in head/neck surgery, the identification and preservation of parathyroid and thyroid glands. We synthesized 700-nm and 800-nm halogenated fluorophores that show high uptake in the specific glands after a single intravenous injection of only 0.06 mg kg−1 in a pig. Using a dual-channel near-infrared imaging system, we demonstrate the real-time, high-sensitivity, unambiguous identification of parathyroid and thyroid glands simultaneously in the context of blood and surrounding soft tissue. This novel technology lays the foundation for head/neck surgery performed with increased precision and efficiency, and potentially lowers morbidity, and a general strategy for targeted near-infrared fluorophore development.
