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0Researchers have developed a pH-responsive ratiometric photoacoustic sensor (PPS) to visualize and quantify the acidity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This innovative imaging strategy targets ATP6V0C, a critical proton pump subunit found to be overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and directly linked to cancer progression. The PPS nanoparticles switch states in acidic conditions, allowing for high-resolution, deep-tissue monitoring of tumor development from early initiation to distant metastasis. Experimental results demonstrate that this method can accurately delineate tumor boundaries in clinical samples and track metastatic spread to lymph nodes. Beyond diagnosis, the study introduces a synergistic therapy combining acid-activated photothermal treatment with proton pump inhibitors to effectively suppress tumor growth. Ultimately, this multiscale imaging approach provides a sensitive tool for early cancer detection and the advancement of precision medical interventions.
References:
Zeng S, Chen J, Ren Y, et al. Multiscale imaging on proton pump-driven acidity for assessing tumor progression and metastasis[J]. Nature Communications, 2026, 17(1): 1785.
