H2O2-activated NIR fluorescent probe with tumor targeting for cell imaging and fluorescent-guided surgery

The near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence sensor for sensitive, selective, and high tissue penetration detection of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is quite significant in the localization and surgical removal of tumors. Herein, we reported a novel tumor-target NIR fluorescence probe BCy-Biotin for H2O2 detection in tumors. The probe showed high selectivity and sensitivity toward H2O2 with the calculated detection limit of 1.82 × 10−7 M. And it was applied in the detection of exogenous and endogenous H2O2 levels in 4T1 cells with low cytotoxicity. In the subcutaneous 4T1 tumor model of mice, probe BCy-Biotin exhibited satisfactory tumor-target fluorescence imaging after the tail vein. Significance: Importantly, this probe was successfully employed in fluorescence image-guided surgical resection of tumors in mice. These results demonstrated that this probe had the potential for clinical diagnosis and surgical navigation of cancers.