Chemiluminescent Probe for In Vivo Imaging of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Breast cancer cell growth typically relies on a source of hormones and growth factors such as estrogen, progesterone or HER2; thus, hormone or growth factor depravation therapy is at the forefront of oncological treatment methods. However, one subtype of breast cancers, Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), lacks receptors for estrogen, progesterone or HER2. This makes it highly invasive and clinically problematic; additionally, in vivo imaging has proven difficult because TNBC tumors are anomalous in their properties and evade mammography, MRI and ultrasound imaging. Methodology to image TNBC in vivo would be a revolutionary step in TNBC diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. Thus, our current research aims to create a chemical agent which selectively images TNBC tumors via a chemiluminescent reaction. To do this, we are working to conjugate our TNBC-targeting oligopeptoid, LC129-8, with the chemiluminescent probe HyCL-4-AM. The probe is designed to undergo a light-emitting reaction when triggered by hypoxic conditions such as that of cancerous tissue. Thus, the product should in theory be a chemical agent that congregates specifically in TNBC tumors and releases light, allowing for surgeons to image the cancerous tissue for discriminatory removal. Currently, we are in the process of analytically characterizing the finished oligopeptoid before conjugation to HyCL-4-AM, after which it will undergo in vitro testing for chemiluminescent imaging capacity.