Selective visualization of cyclooxygenase-2 in inflammation and cancer by targeted fluorescent imaging agents

Md Jashim Uddin, Brenda C. Crews, Anna L. Blobaum, Philip J. Kingsley, D. Lee Gorden, J. Oliver McIntyre, Lynn M. Matrisian, Kotha Subbaramaiah, Andrew J. Dannenberg, David W. Piston, Lawrence J. Marnett

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    164 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Effective diagnosis of inflammation and cancer by molecular imaging is challenging because of interference from nonselective accumulation of the contrast agents in normal tissues. Here, we report a series of novel fluorescence imaging agents that efficiently target cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which is normally absent from cells, but is found at high levels in inflammatory lesions and in many premalignant and malignant tumors. After either i.p. or i.v. injection, these reagents become highly enriched in inflamed or tumor tissue compared with normal tissue and this accumulation provides sufficient signal for in vivo fluorescence imaging. Further, we show that only the intact parent compound is found in the region of interest. COX-2-specific delivery was unambiguously confirmed using animals bearing targeted deletions of COX-2 and by blocking the COX-2 active site with high-affinity inhibitors in both in vitro and in vivo models. Because of their high specificity, contrast, and detectability, these fluorocoxibs are ideal candidates for detection of inflammatory lesions or early-stage COX-2-expressing human cancers, such as those in the esophagus, oropharynx, and colon.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)3618-3627
    Number of pages10
    JournalCancer research
    Volume70
    Issue number9
    DOIs
    StatePublished - May 1 2010

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Oncology
    • Cancer Research

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