This PDF file contains the front matter associated with SPIE Proceedings Volume 11660, including the Title Page, Copyright information, and Table of Contents.

Near infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a new type of molecularly-targeted cancer photo-therapy, which employs a NIR silica-phthalocyanine, IR700, conjugated to a monoclonal antibody targeting cell-surface molecules. NIR-PIT targeting EGFR is now in transition to fast-track Phase 3 trial in late-stage recurrent head and neck squamous cell cancer patients. I will focus on successful cancer-targeting and immune-suppressive cell-targeting NIR-PIT against new targets; podoplanin, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 that could treat broad spectra of cancers. Furthermore, the regimens of cancer-targeting NIR-PIT combined with immune-suppressive cell-targeting NIR-PIT could cure primary and metastatic tumor and yield vaccination effect against treated cancer cells.

Activated platelets play a prominent role in multiple diseases, in particular arterial and venous thrombosis, as well as in atherosclerosis and cancer. More recent studies demonstrate further an important role for platelets in generating a permissive microenvironment for tumor growth, and the promotion of invasion and metastasis. To advance the in vivo study of the biological activity of this activated cell type from basic experimental to a clinical focus, new translatable platelet-specific molecular imaging agents are required. Herein, we report the development of a near-infrared fluorescence probe based upon tirofiban, a clinically-approved small molecule glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (GPIIb/IIIa). Through in vitro experiments with human platelets, and in vivo in a murine model of deep vein thrombosis, we demonstrate the avidity of the generated probe for activated platelets, thereby enabling rapid in vivo visualization within the vasculature

We have engineered nano-sized constructs from erythrocytes doped with the FDA-approved near infrared (NIR) chromophore, indocyanine green (ICG). Herein, we present results that demonstrate membrane cholesterol enrichment is associated with reduced uptake of these nanoparticles by macrophages in vitro, and greater accumulation of the nanoparticles in intraperitoneal implants in immunodeficient mice. These preliminary findings suggest that cholesterol-enrichment of erythrocyte-derived optical nanoparticles can provide a potential capability for enhanced NIR imaging of tumors.

Staining procedures in virtual H&E ex vivo microscopy is non-standardized, and image quality can be tuned by systematic parameter optimization. We are using structured illumination microscopy and image processing for an objective assessment of staining procedure. Bovine muscle tiles of 2x2 cm are used as experimental tissue. In these experiments we differ staining procedure by varying stain and rinse solvent, dye concentration, and immersion time. Quantitative measures of staining quality were compared. Our findings confirm the profound impact of the confluence of multiple factors in staining quality, and suggest general strategies for successful protocol development.

Fluorescent dyes, attached to proteins are widely used to study different biological processes. However, physical mechanisms of fluorescence change in response to particular stimuli are poorly understood. Here we use two-photon polarization ratio Omega and cross section spectra to study the nature of local interactions between tetramethyrhodamine-6-maleimide and voltage sensing phosphatase (VSP). We show that when rhodamine binds to VSP, it undergoes a conformational change corresponding to a twist of a dihedral angle between the phenyl and xanthene planes from 90 to 70–80 degree. This change is probably due to steric clashes between the rhodamine and neighbor amino acid residues.

LS301 is a promising NIR fluorescence probe for targeting brain glioma cancer. The co-localization of LS31 and 5-ALA induced PpIX in vitro and in vivo enables LS301 to guide PpIX fluorescence image surgery. Moreover, LS301 showed no negative impact on 5-ALA-PpIX PDT outcome in brain glioma cells and mouse tumor model. Therefore, the implementation of LS301 and PpIX has potential to improve tumor resection surgery and PDT treatment for better tumor outcomes.

Recent advances in optical imaging have the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. Among the most promising approaches under development is contrast-enhanced fluorescence imaging, which can be performed with molecular targeting to enhance tumor visualization. One key issue that has not been rigorously addressed is the potential phototoxicity of these fluorophores. In this study, we have used a commercial cell-free assay to qualify the singlet oxygen production rate in approved (ICG, Methylene Blue) and unapproved (IRDye700, IRDye800) fluorophores. Results shed light on the relative phototoxicity of each agent and will help to establish standardized methods for photochemical safety testing.

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are an emerging research area in the biomedical field due to their biocompatibility and multifunctionality. Herein, we report CQDs synthesized in a green, fast, facile manner in a recyclable mineral oil-mediated pyrolysis medium using citric acid as the main carbon source and thiourea as N- and S-doping source. The assynthesized CQDs exhibit excitation-dependent photoemission (Φ = 0.57) with notable energy upconversion behavior at longer wavelengths, suggesting possible utilization in multiphoton microscopy. FT-IR characterization suggest diverse functional groups on the surface which include carboxylic acids, amines, and thiocyanates among others. Photothermal analysis supported the NIR-emissive behavior and showed that CQD solution temperature could potentially increase nearly 20°C higher after 10 min irradiation by 630-nm LED laser source powered at 1 W/cm2. CQDs have been tested in vitro and has been used as multicolor cellular imaging agent.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), considered a neurological development disorder, is characterized by different degrees of deficit in communication, social interaction, and learning, accompanied by repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior. The diagnosis of ASD is extremely complex due to the unknown etiopathogenesis and the diversity of symptoms presented by the individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) as a tool for the diagnosis of ASD in saliva. Saliva samples from 14 volunteers, 7 with ASD (G-A) and 7 Neurotypical (G-N) were analyzed. The collected samples were centrifuged, 20 µL of supernatant was deposited on calcium fluoride (CaF2) windows and dehydrated for 10 min. The FT-IR spectra were obtained by a spectrophotometer coupled to a microscope, in the spectral range of 4000 cm-1 - 900 cm-1 , with 32 scans, and spectral resolution of 4 cm-1 . A total of 112 spectra were collected, and their averages were submitted to Cluster analysis by the second derivative, aiming to group the results by similarity. FT-IR Spectroscopy was able to separate approximately 86% of the samples in the corrected group. The results showed an increase in bands related to proteins and hormones. Individuals diagnosed with ASD often have increased levels of stress, difficulty in interpersonal relationships, and reduced salivary flow compared to neurotypical individuals. ASD patients present a higher concentration of proteins and cortisol release in the saliva. FT-IR spectroscopy is a promising tool to differentiate saliva samples from ASD patients from neurotypical individuals.

PhotochemCAD is a Microsoft Windows-based software program composed of spectral databases and program modules for diverse photochemical calculations and is aimed at addressing fundamental needs of the scientific community. Since initiation in the late 1980’s, ~1000 absorption/fluorescence spectra of ~500 organic compounds of interest across the wide photosciences field have been collected and are now available in PhotochemCAD 3. The spectra are accompanied by quantitative parameters (molar absorption coefficient, fluorescence quantum yield) where available and citations to the original source literature. Many web-based absorption/fluorescence spectra viewers are publicly accessible but are typically aimed at commercial sales by sponsoring companies. Here, a web-browser-based PhotochemCAD spectra viewer is described that enables overlay of spectra for comparative evaluation, can be used on any platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), and does not require downloading or installation of the program. The PhotochemCAD program, databases, and spectra viewer are accessible for free use at http://www.photochemcad.com.