# Development of Near Infrared Fluorescence-Guided Surgical Navigation and Tumor Specific Photoimmunotherapy for Improved Outcomes for GI Cancers

> **NIH VA I01** · VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM · 2022 · —

## Abstract

The ability of the surgeon to accurately visualize tumor margins and identify metastases is necessary for the
success of any cancer operation. Fluorescence imaging, because of its high sensitivity, low cost, portability,
and real-time capabilities has great potential to improve surgical outcomes. Our laboratories have pioneered
the use of fluorophore-conjugated tumor-specific antibodies for detection and resection of GI cancers in
orthotopic mouse models with highly improved outcomes. Thus far, the fluorophores that we have utilized have
been in the visible range of light. There are numerous advantages to near infrared (NIR) fluorophores which
have better tissue depth of penetration compared to fluorophores in the visible range. Furthermore, we now
have humanized tumor-specific anti-CEA and anti-CA 19-9 antibodies that can be used for future clinical trials.
The present grant application proposes to develop the potential of using humanized anti-CEA and anti-CA 19-9
antibodies conjugated with appropriate fluorophores in the NIR 700 to 800 nm range to label primary tumors
and their metastases for fluorescence laparoscopic staging, fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS), and adjuvant
photoimmunotherapy of pancreatic and colon cancer in patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) models.
The specific aims of this grant are: 1) Validation of NIR fluorophore-labeled tumor-specific humanized anti-CEA
and anti-CA 19-9 antibodies to label primary tumors and metastases in PDOX mouse models of pancreatic and
colorectal cancer, 2) Comparison of near infrared fluorophores conjugated to humanized anti-CEA and anti-CA
19-9 antibodies with different properties for dosing response, signal duration, photobleaching, signal-to-
background ratio, and phototoxicity, in PDOX models of human pancreatic and colon cancer, 3) Development
of intraoperative photoimmunotherapy (PIT) using the humanized anti-CEA and anti-CA 19-9 antibodies, or
other antibodies shown to be effective in Aims 1 and 2, conjugated to IRDye 700DX as adjuvant treatment to
FGS for pancreatic and colorectal cancer in PDOX nude and NSG-humanized mouse models.
The completion of these aims will set the stage for clinical trials of fluorescent-antibody-based FGS that can
change the paradigm of surgical oncology and greatly improve outcomes of recalcitrant cancers.
Grant application features:
  Humanized tumor specific monoclonal antibodies
  Very bright tissue penetration near infrared dyes
  PDOX mouse models targeting recalcitrant pancreatic and colorectal cancer
  Fluorescence guided surgery
  Adjuvant photoimmunotherapy

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10515777
- **Project number:** 5I01BX003856-05
- **Recipient organization:** VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael Bouvet
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-10-01 → 2022-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10515777

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10515777, Development of Near Infrared Fluorescence-Guided Surgical Navigation and Tumor Specific Photoimmunotherapy for Improved Outcomes for GI Cancers (5I01BX003856-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10515777. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*