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

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). In vivo 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. Ex vivo 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 in vivo imaging with an acceptable tumor to background ratio. Ex vivo 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.