Fluorescent probe for high-contrast detection of diseased tissues

Researchers at Stanford have developed a probe, NIRDye812, which improves contrast between healthy and diseased tissues for fluorescence-guided cancer surgery applications. The surgeons' ability to distinguish and remove any residual diseased tissue significantly improves postoperative cancer prognosis in patients. NIRDye812 is topologically equivalent to IRDye800 that was recently approved for clinical trials, which may allow fast track or breakthrough designation by the FDA. NIRDye812 offers a 2-fold enhancement in tumor-to-background fluorescence ratios over IRDye800 because its spectral properties are more optimally aligned with the fixed settings of standard clinical surgical devices. Furthermore, NIRDye812 results in 60% increased signal over IRDye800 for deep-seated tumor removal applications. The inventors additionally show comparable biodistribution between NIRDye 812 and IRDye 800 in liver, kidney, spleen, skin, tumor, and muscle tissues in ex vivo studies, but note a 10-fold increase in relative intensity in the spleen.

Stage of Development
The inventors demonstrate a proof-of-concept in pre-clinical in vivo mouse tumor models, where NIRDye 812 resulted in a 2-fold increase fluorescence intensity of tumor to background ratios compared to IRDye 800.