Nanopaticle-Based Intraoperative Locoregional Cancer Diagnostics

We will explore the potential of fluorescent (FL) imaging diagnostic capabilities by employing biocompatible nanodiamond particles with excellent FL properties that can be used for imaging guided surgery procedures. This innovation will greatly contribute to the tumor diagnostics, and allow precise determination of boundaries with healthy tissue. The ultra-bright particles with optimized surface nanobiointerface will provide a unique opportunity to visualize target cancer cells with high resolution. These particles are high stable, resistant to fading or bio-fouling, thereby the most suitable for passive and active cancer targeting. The nanoparticles will applied regionally or locally in order to visualize tumors and sentinel lymph nodes via diffusion, blood stream or drainage through lymphatic vessels, where they will be further detected by FL methods. The study will be carried out on solid tumor animal models, preferentially breast cancer, where the concept of sentinel lymph node biopsy was developed and is currently used with limitations in clinics.