Peptide conjugated- Indocyanine green (ICG) PLGA nanoparticles for rectal tumor surgery navigation in NIR imaging

Fluorescence labeling of tumors allows surgeons to better delineate anatomic structures in real time, as there is immediate feedback while the tissue is being manipulated. In addition ,Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) can potentially be used during all colorectal surgeries, especially for deep or locally-aggressive colon cancers, rectal cancers, cancers after neoadjuvant treatment, and cancers where an organ-sparing approach is being utilized (i.e., submucosal or full-thickness resections). ICG is the most commonly used molecule in the field of fluorescence-guided surgery and has gained widespread popularity for a wide variety of NIR fluorescence applications. So encapsulating of ICG into nanoparticles (NPs), for example PLGA NPs, results in the extension of ICG half-life and accumulation at the tumor site.