Dual-color labeled anti-mucin 1 antibody for imaging of ovarian cancer: A preliminary animal study

Abstract

To investigate the feasibility of the anti-mucin 1 (anti-MUC1/CD227) antibody in the fluorescent imaging of ovarian cancer, the CD227 antibody and a control IgG antibody were labeled with a near-infrared dye [Cy5.5-N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)] and a green dye (fluorescein-NHS). <i>In vivo</i> fluorescence images were obtained at 4, 12 and 36 h after injection of the probes into OVCAR3 tumor-bearing mice. The tumor to background ratios were calculated for both probes. <i>Ex vivo</i> fluorescence images were obtained following sacrifice at 36 h. After conjugation to Cy5.5 and fluorescein, the dual-color labeled CD227 probe (Ab-FL-Cy5.5) could be visualized by both green and near-infrared fluorescence. Uptake by the tumors was higher for the Ab-FL-Cy5.5 than for the IgG-Cy5.5 probe. All tumors could be visualized by <i>in vivo</i> imaging with an acceptable tumor to background ratio. <i>Ex vivo</i> studies demonstrated the advantages of using green fluorescence imaging to guide the resection of tumor tissues. These preliminary data indicate that the Ab-FL-Cy5.5 probe is promising for further tumor imaging applications and clinical translation.