Tattoo Ink for Cancer Detection

A colorful approach to the development of new nano-based image contrast agents designed to improve cancer detection.

Early detection of cancer is essential to improving disease prognosis and quality of life for people with cancer. This article discusses the possibility of finding ink-based compounds to “color” tumor cells and differentiate them from healthy cells.

The development of new imaging methods could provide timely detection of cancer during routine screenings or help oncologists identify tumor margins for surgical resection. Time is a key factor in the diagnosis of cancer. Early screening for malignant and precancerous lesions has been shown to reduce mortality greatly.

Helen R. Salinas and her collaborators at the University of Southern California and the University of Texas Health Science Center evaluated the optical properties of a colorful class of ink and pigments that humans routinely use: the tattoo inks and pigments that the FDA has approved for coloring foods, drugs, and cosmetics. Their absorption, fluorescence, and Raman scattering properties were characterized in the hope of identifying a new panel of dyes offering exceptional image contrast. Some dyes, such as “optical inks,” were found to exhibit multiple useful optical properties, surpassing some of the clinically approved imaging dyes on the market. Obtaining negative tumor margins (which corresponds to the complete removal of the tumor) can be essential to a patient’s survival.

Developing new imaging techniques with increased sensitivity to cancer allows for timely medical intervention and better results for patients. Molecular imaging is an imaging strategy that uses contrast agents, along with various imaging modalities.

In order to transport the dyes to the tumor, the researchers designed biocompatible and biodegradable liposomal nanoparticles.

Liposomes are spherical vesicles with a double lipid layer, similar to cell membranes, capable of encapsulating the pigments. The pigments passed through the blood vessels and penetrated the tumor tissue, where they were retained in different models of lymphoma, colorectal cancer, and cervical cancer. The molecules of the dyes, administered in their free form (i.e. not encapsulated), also accumulated in the neoplasm. The researchers concluded that administering them during removal surgeries would help surgeons to identify the limits of the tumors and to eliminate them effectively. If so, this would be the first step in developing commercial dyes combined with nanovesicles designed to detect cancer in a timely manner.

Source:

Salinas, H. R., Miyasato, D. L., Eremina, O. E., Perez, R., Gonzalez, K. L., Czaja, A. T., Burkitt, S.,

Aron, A., Fernando, A., Ojeda, L. S., Larson, K. N., Mohamed, A. W.,

Campbell, J. L., Goins, B. A., & Zavaleta, C. (2020). A colorful approach towards developing new nano-based imaging contrast agents for improved cancer detection. Biomaterials Science. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0bm01099e https://www.investigacionyciencia.es/noticias/tinta-de-tatuaje-para-detectar-el-cncer-18981