ICG-CK

ICG-CK is a near-infrared second window (NIR-II) fluorescent molecular probe consisting of the fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG) conjugated to a targeting peptide that specifically binds to pan-cytokeratin (pan-CK). Developed by researchers at Xiamen University and Yunnan Cancer Hospital, the probe is designed for the rapid, real-time intraoperative assessment of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis status in breast cancer patients. During surgery, freshly excised sentinel lymph nodes are incubated with the ICG-CK solution, allowing the probe to specifically target and bind to cytokeratin-expressing metastatic breast cancer cells. The resulting strong NIR-II fluorescence signal enables surgeons to distinguish metastatic lymph nodes from normal ones, facilitating precise surgical decision-making regarding the extent of axillary lymph node dissection.

Other names

ICG-pan-CKICG-pan-CK probepan-CK-targeting NIR-II fluorescent probe