A Rare-Earth Near-Infrared Nanoprobe for the Identification of Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a common subtype of lung cancer, and there is currently no established method for the early identification of SCLC. We prepared a novel rare-earth near-infrared (NIR) downconversion nanoprobe to identify SCLC cells. METHODS: The shell precursors Gd-OA and Na-TFA-OA were prepared, and the NaYF(4):Nd@NaGdF(4)-ProGRP antibody probe was obtained after synthesizing downconversion fluorescent nanocrystals. The probe was used for NIR identification of cancer cells and subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. The biotoxicity of the probe to SCLC cells and nude mice was studied. RESULTS: The NaYF(4):Nd@NaGdF(4)-ProGRP antibody probe was successfully prepared, with a size of 44 nm, an NIR emission peak at approximately 1060 nm, and a concentration of 40 μmol/mL. The probe could achieve accurate NIR identification of SCLC cells and subcutaneous tumors in nude mice. Optimal images of the subcutaneous tumor model were obtained approximately 10 minutes after probe injection. There was no significant change in the hematology indices, respiratory rate, or heart rate of nude mice after the probe was injected (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We have successfully prepared a low-toxicity probe that can identify SCLC cells, which may be useful for the early detection of SCLC. And conduct theoretical exploration for non-invasive identification and identification of some early metastatic lesions without pathological sampling in the future.