Real-Time Fluorescence Imaging to Identify Cholangiocarcinoma in the Extrahepatic Biliary Tree Using an Enzyme-Activatable Probe

INTRODUCTION: Complete resection is the only possible treatment for cholangiocarcinoma in the extrahepatic biliary tree (eCCA), although current imaging modalities are limited in their ability to accurately diagnose longitudinal spread. We aimed to develop fluorescence imaging techniques for real-time identification of eCCA using an enzyme-activatable probe, which emits fluorescence immediately after activation by a cancer-specific enzyme. METHODS: Using lysates and small tissue fragments collected from surgically resected specimens, we selected the most specific probe for eCCA from among 800 enzyme-activatable probes. The selected probe was directly sprayed onto resected specimens and fluorescence images were acquired; these images were evaluated for diagnostic accuracy. We also comprehensively searched for enzymes that could activate the probe, then compared their expression levels in cancer and non-cancer tissues. RESULTS: Analyses of 19 samples (four cancer lysates, seven non-cancer lysates, and eight bile samples) and 54 tissue fragments (13 cancer tissues and 41 non-cancer tissues) revealed that PM-2MeSiR was the most specific fluorophore for eCCA. Fluorescence images of 7 patients were obtained; these images enabled rapid identification of cancerous regions, which closely matched histopathology findings in 4 patients. Puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase was identified as the enzyme that might activate the probe, and its expression was upregulated in eCCA. CONCLUSION: Fluorescence imaging with PM-2MeSiR, which may be activated by puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase, yielded generally high accuracy. This technique may be useful for real-time identification of the spread of eCCA during surgery and endoscopic examinations.