Targeted imaging of αvβ3 expressing sarcoma tumor cells in vivo in pre-operative setting using near infrared: A potential tool to reduce incomplete surgical resection

Tumor size and location along with efficacy of pre-operative imaging are limiting factors for optimal surgical excision for osteosarcoma. Our general hypothesis is that targeting αvβ3 integrin-rich osteosarcoma neoangiogenesis should provide improved delivery of diagnostic compounds and assist surgeons intra operatively using near-infrared imaging techniques. We evaluated in an orthotopic metastatic osteosarcoma in rats the potential of AngioStamp™ targeting αvβ3 integrins and detected intra operatively by near infrared (NIR) illumination (Fluobeam™) as a novel, intra operative imaging technique. To determine the potential of this association in improving tumor and metastasis detection, we compared the quality and sensitivity of tumor/metastasis margin delineation and tumor resection using intra-operative NIR imaging to the ones guided by pre-operative imaging (i.e., MRI subsequently confirmed by histopathological analysis). Chemotherapy being essential in osteosarcoma treatment, we evaluated the capacity of AngioStamp™ to specifically localize to the tumor after chemotherapy treatment.