A team of researchers from Nanjing University, Emory University, and Nanjing Medical University has developed a hypoxia-sensitive molecular probe capable of detecting tumor and cancer cells within the body. This groundbreaking discovery was published in the January 5, 2015 issue of *Nature Communications*. The study introduces a new approach to early cancer detection, offering hope for more effective diagnosis and treatment strategies.
The research was led by Professor Xiqun Jiang from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Nanjing University. His expertise spans polymer mesoscopic chemistry, functional polymers, and biomedical applications. With two U.S. patents and eight national invention patents to his name, Professor Jiang has contributed significantly to the field through over 50 peer-reviewed publications in international journals.
Cancer remains one of the most serious threats to human health, with rising incidence rates and high mortality levels worldwide. Early detection is crucial for improving survival rates and treatment outcomes. However, many cancers are asymptomatic in their early stages, making timely diagnosis difficult. Current medical methods lack the ability to monitor tumor progression in real time, which is why innovative imaging technologies like molecular imaging have become increasingly important.
Molecular imaging, which emerged in the late 1990s in the U.S., allows non-invasive visualization of cellular and molecular processes within living organisms. By using highly specific probes that bind to target molecules, this technique can detect diseases before visible structural changes occur. As such, molecular probes play a central role in advancing early cancer diagnosis.
Tumor growth is closely linked to hypoxia—the condition of low oxygen levels. Hypoxia is a key feature of the tumor microenvironment, influencing cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and drug resistance. Researchers have long recognized the significance of hypoxia in tumor development and have sought ways to exploit it for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
In this study, the team developed a near-infrared optical imaging probe that specifically targets hypoxic regions in tumors. This water-soluble, phosphorescent macromolecular probe can detect even small numbers of cancer cells, offering unprecedented sensitivity. It not only identifies hypoxic areas in various cancer models but also detects early signs of tumor formation based on increased oxygen consumption.
This hypoxia-sensitive probe holds great promise as a tool for visualizing the tumor microenvironment and identifying cancer cells at very early stages. Its potential applications could revolutionize cancer diagnostics and improve patient outcomes.
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