Aza-BODIPY probe for selective visualization of cyclooxygenase-2 in cancer cells

AZB-IMC2 was developed as a COX-2 specific probe that exhibited a brighter fluorescence signal in cancer cells that overexpress COX-2 compared to normal cells. Oxidative stress agent-treated inflamed cell lines inducing high COX-2 levels revealed an enhanced fluorescence signal. Inhibitory studies showed a markedly reduced fluorescence intensity in cancer cells. The results suggested that AZB-IMC2 could be developed as a promising molecular tool for imaging guiding during surgery.