NIR-ASM

NIR-ASM is a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent "turn-on" probe designed for the specific detection of NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) activity in live cells and cancer tissues. NQO1 is a 2-electron reductase that is significantly overexpressed in various human cancers compared to normal tissues, making it a valuable target for tumor-selective imaging and therapy. The NIR-ASM probe remains non-fluorescent until it is enzymatically cleaved by NQO1, at which point it releases a product that fluoresces with a peak emission at 646 nm. This mechanism allows for high-contrast imaging of NQO1-proficient tumors, as demonstrated in preclinical models where it rapidly developed intense signals in NQO1-positive xenografts (such as A549 lung cancer) but not in NQO1-deficient ones. Developed by researchers at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, NIR-ASM is intended for applications in imaging cancer biopsies and determining the extent of surgical resection.