GOLD NANOPARTICLES REFLECTANCE DISCRIMINATE BENIGN FROM MALIGNANT SALIVARY GLAND NEOPLASMS

Abstract

Background Nanoparticle-based contrast agents have been used as an imaging tool for selectively detecting cancerous processes. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been found to be dysregulated in malignant salivary gland tumors (MSGTs) and can serve as an ideal target for nanoparticle-based contrast agents using gold nanoparticles (GNPs) bio-conjugated to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies. Objective To evaluate the detection sensitivity of reflection measurements of anti-EGFR conjugated gold nanoparticles (C-GNPs) in discriminating benign tumors from MSGT. Methods Tissue sections of 37 cases were investigate. Nineteen cases of MSGT and 9 cases of benign tumors and 9 normal salivary glands were incubated with C-GNPs and the reflectance spectrum was measured using hyperspectral microscopy. Results A significant trend was found to correlate the severity of the lesions (Cuzick's test for trend, P = .018). Reflectance intensity was significantly higher (P Conclusions The GNP reflection measurements were able to discriminate benign tumors from MSGT, suggesting an objective, non-technique-sensitive method that is not dependent on the qualification of a technician and with fewer interpretation errors.