Wang, Kuo-HwaWang, Yung-MingChiu, Li-HsuanChen, Tze-ChienTsai, Yu-HuiZuo, ChunChen, Kuan-ChouChangou, Chun AustinLai, Wen-Fu2018-03-202018Wang, Kuo-Hwa, Yung-Ming Wang, Li-Hsuan Chiu, Tze-Chien Chen, Yu-Hui Tsai, Chun S. Zuo, Kuan-Chou Chen, Chun Austin Changou, and Wen-Fu T. Lai. 2018. “Optical imaging of ovarian cancer using a matrix metalloproteinase-3-sensitive near-infrared fluorescent probe.” PLoS ONE 13 (2): e0192047. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0192047. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192047.http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:35014411Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the seventh most common cancer among women worldwide. The 5-year survival rate for women with EOC is only 30%-50%, which is largely due to the typically late diagnosis of this condition. EOC is difficult to detect in its early stage because of its asymptomatic nature. Recently, near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) imaging has been developed as a potential tool for detecting EOC at the molecular level. In this study, a NIRF-sensitive probe was designed to detect matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in ovarian cancer cells. A cyanine fluorochrome was conjugated to the amino terminus of a peptide substrate with enzymatic specificity for MMP-3. To analyze the novel MMP-3 probe, an in vivo EOC model was established by subcutaneously implanting SKOV3 cells, a serous-type EOC cell line, in mice. This novel MMP-3-sensitive probe specifically reacted with only the active MMP-3 enzyme, resulting in a significantly enhanced NIRF emission intensity. Histological analysis demonstrated that MMP-3 expression and activity were enhanced in the stromal cells surrounding the ovarian cancer cells. These studies establish a molecular imaging reporter for diagnosing early-stage EOC. Additional studies are required to confirm the early-stage activity of MMP-3 in EOC and its diagnostic and prognostic significance.en-USImaging TechniquesFluorescence ImagingMedicine and Health SciencesOncologyCancers and NeoplasmsGynecological TumorsOvarian CancerIn Vivo ImagingChromatographic TechniquesLiquid ChromatographyHigh Performance Liquid ChromatographyDiagnostic MedicineCancer Detection and DiagnosisDiagnostic RadiologyMagnetic Resonance ImagingRadiology and ImagingBiology and Life SciencesBiochemistryEnzymologyEnzymesProteasesMetalloproteasesProteinsCell BiologyCellular TypesAnimal CellsConnective Tissue CellsStromal CellsAnatomyBiological TissueConnective TissueJournal Article2018-03-2010.1371/journal.pone.0192047