Functionalized polydopamine nanospheres as in situ spray for photothermal image-guided tumor precise surgical resection

Surgical resection is a critical procedure for treatment of solid tumor, which commonly suffers from post-operative local recurrence due to the possibility of positive surgical margin. Although the widely used clinical imaging techniques (CT, MRI, PET, etc.) show beneficial effects in providing a macroscopic view of preoperative tumor position, they are still failing to provide intraoperative real-time imaging navigation during the surgery and need oral or intravenous injection contrast agents with risk of adverse effects. In this work, we present a nano-spray assisted photothermal imaging system for in vitro cells discrimination as well as in vivo visualization of tumor position and border that guides real-time precise tumor resection during surgery (even for tiny tumor less than 3 mm). Herein, the nano-spray were prepared by RGD peptide functionalized polydopamine (PDA-RGD) nanospheres with excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (54.27%), stability and reversibility, which target alpha nu beta 3 integrin overexpressed tumor cells. Such PDA-RGD serve as nanothermometers that convert and amplify biological signal to intuitive thermal image signal, depicting the tumor margin in situ. In comparison to conventional imaging techniques, our approach through topical spraying together with portable infrared camera has the characteristics of low cost, convenient, no radiation hazard, real-time intraoperative imaging-guidance and avoiding the adverse effects risk of oral or intravenous contrast agent. This technology provides a new universal tool for potentially assisting surgeons' decision in real-time during surgery and aiding to improved outcome.

Automated summary

In this study, a nano-spray assisted photothermal imaging system was developed for in vitro cell discrimination and in vivo visualization of tumor position and border in real-time during surgery. Compared to conventional imaging techniques, this approach has the advantages of low cost, convenience, no radiation hazard, and avoiding the adverse effects risk of oral or intravenous contrast agent.