Detection of lymph node metastases in human colorectal cancer by using 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX fluorescence with spectral unmixing. Int J Mol Sci. 2013;14:23140-23152. [PMID: 24284403 PMCID: PMC3856110 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141123140]

5-Aminolevulinic Acid-Induced Protoporphyrin IX Fluorescence Imaging for Tumor Detection: Recent Advances and Challenges

5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a natural amino acid and a precursor of heme and chlorophyll. Exogenously administered 5-ALA is metabolized into protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). PpIX accumulates in cancer cells because of the low activity of ferrochelatase, an enzyme that metabolizes PpIX to heme. High expression of 5-ALA influx transporters, such as peptide transporters 1/2, in cancer cells also enhances PpIX production. Because PpIX radiates red fluorescence when excited with blue/violet light, 5-ALA has been used for the visualization of various tumors. 5-ALA photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) has been shown to improve the tumor removal rate in high-grade gliomas and non-muscular invasive bladder cancers. However, 5-ALA PDD remains a challenge as a diagnostic method because tissue autofluorescence interferes with PpIX signals in cases where tumors emit only weak signals, and non-tumorous lesions, such as inflammatory sites, tend to emit PpIX fluorescence. Here, we review the current outline of 5-ALA PDD and strategies for improving its diagnostic applicability for tumor detection, focusing on optical techniques and 5-ALA metabolic pathways in both viable and necrotic tumor tissues.

Accumulation of Uroporphyrin I in Necrotic Tissues of Squamous Cell Carcinoma after Administration of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid

5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence is widely used for the intraoperative detection of malignant tumors. However, the fluorescence emission profiles of the accompanying necrotic regions of these tumors have yet to be determined. To address this, we performed fluorescence and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses of necrotic tissues of squamous cancer after 5-ALA administration. In resected human lymph nodes of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma, we found a fluorescence peak at approximately 620 nm in necrotic lesions, which was distinct from the PpIX fluorescence peak at 635 nm for viable cancer lesions. Necrotic lesions obtained from a subcutaneous xenograft model of human B88 oral squamous cancer also emitted the characteristic fluorescence peak at 620 nm after light irradiation: the fluorescence intensity ratio (620 nm/635 nm) increased with the energy of the irradiation light. HPLC analysis revealed a high content ratio of uroporphyrin I (UPI)/total porphyrins in the necrotic cores of murine tumors, indicating that UPI is responsible for the 620 nm peak. UPI accumulation in necrotic tissues after 5-ALA administration was possibly due to the failure of the heme biosynthetic pathway. Taken together, fluorescence imaging of UPI after 5-ALA administration may be applicable for the evaluation of tumor necrosis.

A novel laparoscopic near-infrared fluorescence spectrum system for photodynamic diagnosis of peritoneal dissemination in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Diagnosing peritoneal dissemination is essential for selecting the appropriate therapeutic strategy for patients with pancreatic cancer. Intraoperative laparoscopic diagnosis enables the selection of less invasive surgical strategies. Photodynamic diagnosis using 5-aminolevulinic acid may improve gastrointestinal cancer diagnostic accuracy, although weak fluorescence is not easily detected. Here we aimed to improve this sensitivity using laparoscopic spectrophotometry.

METHODS

Photodynamic diagnosis was performed using serial dilutions of protoporphyrin IX, and its detectability using laparoscopic spectrophotometry was compared with that using naked-eye observation. Five-aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic diagnosis was performed for pancreatic cancer cell lines, and a murine peritoneal disseminated nodule model was established. We compared laparoscopic spectrophotometry and naked-eye observation results using white and fluorescent lights and compared them to routine histopathological examination results. Photodynamic diagnoses were made in 2017 and 2018 in eight patients with pancreatic cancer.

RESULTS

Weaker fluorescence of the diluted protoporphyrin IX samples was better detected with spectrophotometry than with naked-eye observation. Moreover, a spectrograph of protoporphyrin IX in multiple cell lines was detected by spectrophotometry. In the murine model, the detection rates were 62 %, 78 %, and 90 % for naked-eye observation with white light, fluorescent light, and spectrophotometry, respectively. Comparisons of fluorescent light-negative peritonea with and without pathological metastases showed significantly higher spectrophotometric intensities in the former (P < 0.010). In clinical studies, three fluorescent light-negative spectrophotometry-positive pathologically metastatic lesions were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic spectrophotometry in the murine model and extraperitoneally photodynamic diagnoses using spectrophotometry in clinical practice are sensitive photodynamic diagnostic techniques.

Photodynamic Diagnosis and Therapy for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: Emerging Perspectives

Simple Summary

Peritoneal carcinomatosis, the formation of wide-spread metastases throughout the abdominal cavity, remains challenging to diagnose and treat. Photodynamic diagnosis and photodynamic therapy are promising approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis, which use photosensitizers for fluorescence detection or photochemical treatment of (micro) metastases. With the aim of highlighting the potential of this theranostic approach, this review outlines the clinical state of the art in the use of photodynamic diagnosis and therapy for peritoneal carcinomatosis, identifies the major challenges, and provides emerging perspectives from preclinical studies to address these challenges. We conclude that the development of novel illumination strategies and targeted photonanomedicines may aid in achieving more efficient cytoreductive surgery. In addition to combination treatments with chemo-, and radiotherapy, such approaches hold significant promise to improve the outlook of patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Abstract

Peritoneal carcinomatosis occurs frequently in patients with advanced stage gastrointestinal and gynecological cancers. The wide-spread peritoneal micrometastases indicate a poor outlook, as the tumors are difficult to diagnose and challenging to completely eradicate with cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapeutics. Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and therapy (PDT), modalities that use photosensitizers for fluorescence detection or photochemical treatment of cancer, are promising theranostic approaches for peritoneal carcinomatosis. This review discusses the leading clinical trials, identifies the major challenges, and presents potential solutions to advance the use of PDD and PDT for the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. While PDD for fluorescence-guided surgery is practically feasible and has achieved clinical success, large randomized trials are required to better evaluate the survival benefits. Although PDT is feasible and combines well with clinically used chemotherapeutics, poor tumor specificity has been associated with severe morbidity. The major challenges for both modalities are to increase the tumor specificity of the photosensitizers, to efficiently treat peritoneal microtumors regardless of their phenotypes, and to improve the ability of the excitation light to reach the cancer tissues. Substantial progress has been achieved in (1) the development of targeted photosensitizers and nanocarriers to improve tumor selectivity, (2) the design of biomodulation strategies to reduce treatment heterogeneity, and (3) the development of novel light application strategies. The use of X-ray-activated PDT during whole abdomen radiotherapy may also be considered to overcome the limited tissue penetration of light. Integrated approaches that take advantage of PDD, cytoreductive surgery, chemotherapies, PDT, and potentially radiotherapy, are likely to achieve the most effective improvement in the management of peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Probing Hexaminolevulinate Mediated PpIX Fluorescence in Cancer Cell Suspensions in the Presence of Chemical Adjuvants

Exogenous administration of hexaminolevulinate (HAL) induces fluorescent protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) accumulation preferentially in cancer cells. However, the PpIX fluorescence intensities between noncancer and cancer cells are highly variable. The contrast between cancer and noncancer cells may be insufficient to reliably discriminate, especially at the single cell level in cancer diagnostics. This study examines the use of the chemical adjuvants dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) or deferoxamine (DFO) to enhance the HAL induced PpIX accumulation in cancer cells. Our results showed that in some of the incubation conditions tested, the addition of DFO with HAL significantly increased PpIX 21 fluorescence of adherent monolayer cancer cells, but this was never the case for cells in suspension. Permeabilisation with DMSO did not increase PpIX fluorescence. Cell-to-cell interaction may well play an important role in the PpIX accumulation when suspended cells are treated in HAL and adjuvant chemicals.

PINPOINT® can be used for photodynamic diagnosis based on 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrinIX in gastric cancer surgery: Report of a case

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We have reported the case that underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy with photodynamic diagnosis based on 5-aminolevulinic acid induced protoporphyrinIX by using PINPOINT®.

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PINPOINT®, a brightfield color fluorescence camera, could be used for 5-ALA-PDD.

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Administration of 5-ALA through PTEG for a patient with pyloric stenosis was successfully performed.

Introduction

Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) has been used as a diagnostic procedure for malignant diseases. Dedicated laparoscopes (e.g., an IMAGE1 Camera System®) are used for this procedure. We report a case treated with laparoscopic total gastrectomy with 5-ALA-PDD using the PINPOINT® system.

Presentation of case

A patient in his 80 s with diffuse-type gastric cancer with pyloric stenosis and ascites was admitted to our hospital. Double percutaneous transesophageal gastrotubing (dPTEG) for both gastric decompression and enteral nutrition and two cycles of preoperative chemotherapy with S-1 plus oxaliplatin were performed preoperatively.

Additionally, we preoperatively performed an ex vivo experiment that confirmed that the PINPOINT® system can be used to observed protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence.

Three hours before surgery, 5-ALA hydrochloride was administered through dPTEG. Observation was performed by PINPOINT®, and Aladuck® was used as an excitation light source.

Peritoneal nodules and sampled lymph nodes with red fluorescence were observed by 5-ALA-PDD. Accordingly, we gave up a radical operation and laparoscopic total gastrectomy without systematic lymphadenectomy to improve anemia and release pyloric stenosis was performed. The patient’s postoperative course was uneventful.

Discussion

It is possible that the connection with each of the scopes and an exclusive light source (Aladuck®) enable the easy use of 5-ALA-PDD without dedicated laparoscopy.

It is expected that 5-ALA-PDD would show the further spread of gastrointestinal cancer if it could be performed with many types of laparoscopes.

Conclusion

We found that 5-ALA-PDD-guided surgery can be easily performed in a short time using the PINPOINT® system.

5-ALA-assistant automated detection of lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer patients

BACKGROUND

5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) has been utilized for cancer diagnosis as a fluorescence probe. We have reported the feasibility of 5-ALA-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence for detecting lymph node (LN) metastasis in gastrointestinal malignancies. However, a major barrier to the fluorescence diagnosis has been that the evaluation has been highly dependent on the observers. In this study, we examined the validity of a developed device for automated detection without subjectivity.

METHODS

Gastric cancer patients who received oral administration of 5-ALA (20 mg/kg) prior to surgery were enrolled. For a total of 323 LNs obtained from 64 patients, the diagnostic results of the device were compared to those of conventional histopathological examination based on hematoxylin-and-eosin-stained slides. The accuracy with the device was compared to that of stereoscopic detection with conventional fluorescence microscopy for 211 LNs from 42 patients. We used two types of image processing that we previously developed to eliminate autofluorescence of background tissues: differential and ratio methods.

RESULTS

For detection of metastasis in 323 LNs, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves with the differential method and ratio method were 0.921 and 0.909, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy with the differential method were 78.0%, 96.8%, and 94.4%; while those with the ratio method were 78.0%, 96.1%, and 93.8%, respectively. In 211 LN analysis, the diagnostic accuracy with the device was comparable to that of stereoscopic examination.

CONCLUSION

Our device for automated detection of LN metastasis using 5-ALA can be a useful tool for intraoperative diagnosis.

Optical and Optoacoustic Imaging

The present chapter summarizes progress with optical methods that go beyond human vision. The focus is on two particular technologies: fluorescence molecular imaging and optoacoustic (photoacoustic) imaging. The rationale for the selection of these two methods is that in contrast to optical microscopy techniques, both fluorescence and optoacoustic imaging can achieve large fields of view, i.e., spanning several centimeters in two or three dimensions. Such fields of views relate better to human vision and can visualize large parts of tissue, a necessary premise for clinical detection. Conversely, optical microscopy methods only scan millimeter-sized dimensions or smaller. With such operational capacity, optical microscopy methods need to be guided by another visualization technique in order to scan a very specific area in tissue and typically only provide superficial measurements, i.e., information from depths that are of the order of 0.05-1 mm. This practice has generally limited their clinical applicability to some niche applications, such as optical coherence tomography of the retina. On the other hand, fluorescence molecular imaging and optoacoustic imaging emerge as more global optical imaging methods with wide applications in surgery, endoscopy, and non-invasive clinical imaging, as summarized in the following. The current progress in this field is based on a volume of recent review and other literature that highlights key advances achieved in technology and biomedical applications. Context and figures from references from the authors of this chapter have been used here, as it reflects our general view of the current status of the field.

Rapid detection of metastatic lymph nodes of colorectal cancer with a gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-activatable fluorescence probe

Rapid diagnosis of metastatic lymph nodes (mLNs) of colorectal cancer (CRC) is desirable either intraoperatively or in resected fresh specimens. We have developed a series of activatable fluorescence probes for peptidase activities that are specifically upregulated in various tumors. We aimed to discover a target enzyme for detecting mLNs of CRC. Among our probes, we found that gGlu-HMRG, a gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)-activatable fluorescence probe, could detect mLNs. This was unexpected, because we have previously reported that gGlu-HMRG could not detect primary CRC. We confirmed that the GGT activity of mLNs was high, whereas that of non-metastatic lymph nodes and CRC cell lines was low. We investigated the reason why GGT activity was upregulated in mLNs, and found that GGT was induced under conditions of hypoxia or low nutritional status. We utilized this feature to achieve rapid detection of mLNs with gGlu-HMRG. GGT appears to be a promising candidate enzyme for fluorescence imaging of mLNs.

Efficient fluorescence detection of protoporphyrin IX in metastatic lymph nodes of murine colorectal cancer stained with indigo carmine

Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), a biochemical converted from 5-aminolevulinc acid (5-ALA) in living cells, is useful for intraoperative fluorescent detection of cancer metastasis in lymph nodes (LNs). However, unknown is whether the fluorescence of PpIX can be detected in the LNs when they coexist with indigo carmine, a blue dye commonly used for identification of sentinel LNs during surgery. To address this issue, we sought to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of PpIX fluorescence in the presence of indigo carmine in a mouse LN metastasis model of rectal cancer after administration of 5-ALA. Spectral analysis of pure chemicals revealed that the absorption spectrum of indigo carmine widely overlapped with the fluorescence spectrum of PpIX specifically at the peak of 632nm, a common emission wavelength for detecting PpIX, but not at the other peak of 700nm. Due to such spectral overlap, the PpIX fluorescence intensity was significantly attenuated by mixture with indigo carmine at 632nm, but not at 700nm. Accordingly, fluorescent measurements of the mouse metastatic LN revealed more intense presentation of PpIX at 700nm than at 632nm, indicating that the diagnostic usefulness is greater at 700nm than at 632nm for the indigo carmine-dyed LNs after administration of 5-ALA. From these observations, we propose that the fluorescence measurement is more efficient at 700nm than at 632nm for detection of PpIX in metastatic LNs stained with indigo carmine.

Simplified and optimized multispectral imaging for 5-ALA-based fluorescence diagnosis of malignant lesions

5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-based fluorescence diagnosis is now clinically applied for accurate and ultrarapid diagnosis of malignant lesions such as lymph node metastasis during surgery. 5-ALA-based diagnosis evaluates fluorescence intensity of a fluorescent metabolite of 5-ALA, protoporphyrin IX (PPIX); however, the fluorescence of PPIX is often affected by autofluorescence of tissue chromophores, such as collagen and flavins. In this study, we demonstrated PPIX fluorescence estimation with autofluorescence elimination for 5-ALA-based fluorescence diagnosis of malignant lesions by simplified and optimized multispectral imaging. We computationally optimized observation wavelength regions for the estimation of PPIX fluorescence in terms of minimizing prediction error of PPIX fluorescence intensity in the presence of typical chromophores, collagen and flavins. By using the fluorescence intensities of the optimized wavelength regions, we verified quantitative detection of PPIX fluorescence by using chemical mixtures of PPIX, flavins, and collagen. Furthermore, we demonstrated detection capability by using metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes of colorectal cancer patients. These results suggest the potential and usefulness of the background-free estimation method of PPIX fluorescence for 5-ALA-based fluorescence diagnosis of malignant lesions, and we expect this method to be beneficial for intraoperative and rapid cancer diagnosis.

Highly sensitive fluorescence detection of metastatic lymph nodes of gastric cancer with photo-oxidation of protoporphyrin IX

BACKGROUND

The establishment of a precise and rapid method to detect metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) is essential to perform less invasive surgery with reduced gastrectomy along with reduced lymph node dissection. We herein describe a novel imaging strategy to detect 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-induced protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence in excised LNs specifically with reduced effects of tissue autofluorescence based on photo-oxidation of PpIX. We applied the method in a clinical setting, and evaluated its feasibility.

METHODS

To reduce the unfavorable effect of autofluorescence, we focused on photo-oxidation of PpIX: Following light irradiation, PpIX changes into another substance, photo-protoporphyrin, via an oxidative process, which has a different spectral peak, at 675 nm, whereas PpIX has its spectral peak at 635 nm. Based on the unique spectral alteration, fluorescence spectral imaging before and after light irradiation and subsequent originally-developed image processing was performed. Following in vitro study, we applied this method to a total of 662 excised LNs obtained from 30 gastric cancer patients administered 5-ALA preoperatively.

RESULTS

Specific visualization of PpIX was achieved in in vitro study. The method allowed highly sensitive detection of metastatic LNs, with sensitivity of 91.9% and specificity of 90.8% in the in vivo clinical trial. Receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated high diagnostic accuracy, with the area under the curve of 0.926.

CONCLUSIONS

We established a highly sensitive and specific 5-ALA-induced fluorescence imaging method applicable in clinical settings. The novel method has a potential to become a useful tool for intraoperative rapid diagnosis of LN metastasis.

Recent advances in photodynamic diagnosis of gastric cancer using 5-aminolevulinic acid

Photodynamic diagnosis based on 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX has been clinically applied in many fields based upon its evidenced efficacy and adequate safety. In order to establish a personalized medicine approach for treating gastric cancer patients, rapid intraoperative detection of malignant lesions has become important. Feasibility of photodynamic diagnosis using 5-aminolevulinic acid for gastric cancer patients has been investigated, especially for the detection of peritoneal dissemination and lymph node metastasis. This method enables intraoperative real-time fluorescence detection of peritoneal dissemination, exhibiting higher sensitivity than white light observation without histopathological examination. The method also enables detection of metastatic foci within excised lymph nodes, exhibiting a diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of a current molecular diagnostics technique. Although several complicating issues still need to be resolved, such as the effect of tissue autofluorescence and the insufficient depth penetration of excitation light, this simple and rapid method has the potential to become a useful diagnostic tool for gastric cancer, as well as urinary bladder cancer and glioma.

Evaluating the efficacy and safety of a novel endoscopic fluorescence imaging modality using oral 5-aminolevulinic acid for colorectal tumors

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Five-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is being increasingly used for photodynamic diagnosis and therapy of various types of tumors including brain, urologic, and other neoplasias. The use of 5-ALA to treat Barrett's carcinomas has been documented, but its clinical effectiveness for diagnosis of gastrointestinal tumors, particularly early cancers, remains unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The aim of our feasibility study was to evaluate the visibility of colorectal tumors using endoscopic fluorescence imaging (EFI) after oral administration of 5-ALA. The lesions identified by direct visualization and by the spectrums produced using EFI modality with 5-ALA were compared to the clinicopathologic features of resected specimens.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients with a total of 27 known colorectal lesions were enrolled in the study. The median tumor size was 30 mm (range 10 - 75). Eleven of the lesions were flat or depressed lesions and 16 were sessile. Red fluorescence was observed in 22 out of 27 lesions. Red fluorescence was negative in 4 out of 11 flat or depressed lesions. In comparison with histopathologic findings, the rates of red fluorescence visibility were 62.5 % in low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 77.8 % in high-grade neoplasia, and 100 % in submucosal carcinoma. Red fluorescence visibility increased with the degree of dysplasia. There were no significant adverse events identified in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

This feasibility study using EFI with 5-ALA demonstrated high visibility of superficial colorectal neoplasia. EFI with 5-ALA appears to be a novel, safe technique for improving real-time colorectal tumor imaging.