To investigate the feasibility of the anti-
mucin 1 (anti-MUC1/CD227) antibody in the fluorescent imaging of
ovarian cancer, the CD227 antibody and a control
IgG antibody were labeled with a near-infrared
dye [
Cy5.5-
N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS)] and a green
dye (
fluorescein-NHS). In vivo fluorescence images were obtained at 4, 12 and 36 h after injection of the probes into OVCAR3
tumor-bearing mice. The
tumor to background ratios were calculated for both probes. Ex vivo fluorescence images were obtained following sacrifice at 36 h. After conjugation to
Cy5.5 and
fluorescein, the dual-color labeled CD227 probe (Ab-FL-Cy5.5) could be visualized by both green and near-infrared fluorescence. Uptake by the
tumors was higher for the Ab-FL-Cy5.5 than for the IgG-Cy5.5 probe. All
tumors could be visualized by in vivo imaging with an acceptable
tumor to background ratio. Ex vivo studies demonstrated the advantages of using green fluorescence imaging to guide the resection of
tumor tissues. These preliminary data indicate that the Ab-FL-Cy5.5 probe is promising for further
tumor imaging applications and clinical translation.