Rapid and Accurate Detection of Lymph Node Metastases Enabled through Fluorescent Silicon Nanoparticles-Based Exosome Probes

Anal Chem. 2021 Jul 27;93(29):10122-10131. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c01010. Epub 2021 Jul 13.

Abstract

Sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of cancer metastasis. Herein, we introduce silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs)-based exosome (SiNPs@EXO) probes for distinguishing normal and metastatic SLNs. Typically, SiNPs are suitable for stable and long-term tracking of exosomes, while cancer cell-driven exosomes with a tumor-homing effect allow targeting metastatic SLNs. Remarkably, the as-fabricated SiNPs@EXO has the ability to label metastatic SLNs, i.e., the fluorescence signal in SLNs reaches the peak within 0.5 h and remains up to 3 h. Comparatively, SLN tracers (e.g., indocyanine green) used clinically can illuminate SLNs 1 h post injection, whereas the signal witnesses a sharp fall then. Moreover, evaluations based on preclinical data confirm the negligible side effects of the SiNPs@EXO. Our results provide new tools for targeting SLNs and predicting lymphatic metastasis of tumor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Exosomes*
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Humans
  • Indocyanine Green
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Nanoparticles*
  • Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy
  • Silicon

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Indocyanine Green
  • Silicon