Near-infrared imaging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using indocyanine green that targets the αvβ6 peptide

Abstract

Significance: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has a particularly poor prognosis. Improving the surgical resection boundary, reducing local recurrence, and ultimately ameliorating the overall survival rate are the treatment goals.

Aim: To obtain a complete surgical resection (R0 resection), we investigated the use of a fluorescent imaging probe that targets the integrin subtype $\alpha v\beta 6$, which is upregulated in many kinds of epithelial cancer, using animal models.

Approach: $\alpha v\beta 6$ expression was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunoprotein blotting of human tissues for malignancy. Protein expression localization was observed. $\alpha v\beta 6$ and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were quantified by PCR and immunoprotein blotting, and the biosafety of targeting the $\alpha v\beta 6$ probe material was examined using Cell Counting Kit-8 assays. Indocyanine green (ICG) was used as a control to determine the localization of the probe at the cellular level. In vivo animal experiments were conducted through tail vein injections to evaluate the probe's imaging effect and to confirm its targeting in tissue sections.

Results: $\alpha v\beta 6$ expression was higher than EGFR expression in HNSCC, and the probe showed good targeting in in vivo and in vitro experiments with a good safety profile.

Conclusions: The ICG-$\alpha v\beta 6$ peptide probe is an exceptional and sensitive imaging tool for HNSCC that can distinguish among tumor, normal, and inflammatory tissues.

Keywords: head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; imaging; indocyanine green; integrins; near-infrared imaging; αvβ6.