Near-infrared fluorescence imaging-guided surgery improves recurrence-free survival rate in novel orthotopic animal model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background Appropriate animal models are required to test novel therapeutics for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) such as near-infrared (NIR) imaging-guided surgery. Methods We developed an optimized animal model of orthotopic HNSCC (in female athymic NMRI (Naval Medical Research Institute) nude mice) with a prolonged survival time. Resection of the orthotopic tumors was performed 30 days after implantation with or without the aid of a miniaturized clinical grade NIR optical imaging device, after systemic administration of a fluorescent RGD-based probe that targets αvβ3 integrin. Results NIR optical imaging-guided surgery increased the recurrence-free survival rate by 50% through the detection of fluorescent cancer residues as small as 185 µm; these fragments could remain unidentified if resection was performed exclusively under unaided visual guidance. Conclusion NIR optical imaging-guided surgery showed an improved HNSCC tumor resection quality in our optimized orthotopic animal model. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2015