PLGA-methionine labeled BODIPY nano-conjugate for in-vivo optical tumor imaging

Abstract

Due to the high mortality rates of breast cancer-patients, early diagnosis of this disease is of great importance. Thus, researchers have investigated the application of molecular imaging with nano-particle-based probes to improve specificity and sensitivity of diagnostic imaging agent. Fluorescent dye molecules are imaging tools to make visible structures and functions of both normal and abnormal tissues. In this study, PLGA-methionine labeled with BODIPY FL nano-conjugated fluorescent was designed for breast cancer imaging. PLGA-methionine (nano-conjugate) was synthesized and the product was confirmed by fourier transform infrared, atomic force microscope and dynamic light scattering. In-vitro and in-vivo cytotoxicity tests were performed and results showed no toxicity on both cells and organs. In-vitro and in-vivo uptake detected by fluorescence presented acceptable accumulation in cancerous cells both in-vitro and in-vivo. Obtained results introduced a novel labeled nano-conjugate for breast cancer imaging.