Production of Anti-EGFR Gold Nanoparticles for Raman Detection of Glioblastoma Tumor Cells

Maximizing the extent of resection has been shown to be crucial for improved survival in glioblastoma (GBM).1 Among conventional imaging technologies applied in neurosurgery, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence-guided resection has helped in augmenting GBM resection, but it still faces notable limitations such as inhomogeneous fluorescence at the periphery of the tumor and false positive signal produced by reactive astrocytes and macrophages.2 Moreover, in GBM cells, 5-ALA-induced fluorescence may vary depending on the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation and the presence of its constitutively active variant, EGFRvIII.3 These factors complicate the intraoperative setting of tumor resection, leading to large degree of inaccuracy and resulting in tumor relapse due to residual cancer cells left at the edges of the resection cavity.1 To achieve a sharper delineation between tumor and healthy brain tissue, we propose to use Raman microscopy as a tool for immediate intraoperative GBM-specific cell visualization. For increased sensitivity of Raman scattering, gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are used. When properly engineered, these GNPs provide an accurate mapping of tumor spread.4,5