Role of near-infrared fluorescence imaging in the resection of metastatic lymph nodes in an optimized orthotopic animal model of HNSCC

I. Atallah , C. Milet (1) , R. Quatre , M. Henry , E. Reyt (2) , J.-L. Coll (3) , A. Hurbin , C.A. Righini (4)

1 BOME - Biologie des organismes marins et écosystèmes
2 Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Grenoble, BP 217, 38043, Grenoble Cedex 09, France
3 INSERM U823 - Institut d'oncologie/développement Albert Bonniot de Grenoble
4 University Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Grenoble Hospital, Grenoble, France.

Keywords: Near-infrared fluorescence imaging-guided surgery Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Metastatic adenopathy vˇ3 integrin RAFT-c(RGD)4 a b s t r a c t Objectives: To study the role of near-infrared fluorescence imaging in the detection and resection of metastatic cervical lymph nodes in head and neck cancer. Materials and methods: CAL33 head and neck cancer cells of human origin were implanted in the oral cavity of nude mice. The mice were followed up after tumor resection to detect the development of lymph node metastases. A specific fluorescent tracer for ˛vˇ3 integrin expressed by CAL33 cells was injected intravenously in the surviving mice between the second and the fourth month following tumor resection. A near-infrared fluorescence-imaging camera was used to detect tracer uptake in metastatic cervical lymph nodes, to guide of lymph-node resection for histological analysis. Results: Lymph node metastases were observed in 42.8% of surviving mice between the second and the fourth month following orthotopic tumor resection. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging provided real-time intraoperative detection of clinical and subclinical lymph node metastases. These results were confirmed histologically. Conclusion: Near infrared fluorescence imaging provides real-time contrast between normal and malignant tissue, allowing intraoperative detection of metastatic lymph nodes. This preclinical stage is essential before testing the technique in humans.

Domaines: Sciences du Vivant [q-bio]

I. Atallah, C. Milet, R. Quatre, M. Henry, E. Reyt, et al.. Role of near-infrared fluorescence imaging in the resection of metastatic lymph nodes in an optimized orthotopic animal model of HNSCC. European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Diseases, 2015, 132 (6), pp.337-342. ⟨10.1016/j.anorl.2015.08.022⟩. ⟨hal-02349440⟩