Purpose To explore the feasibility of targeted diagnosis and localization of prostate cancer via background free differential ultrasound molecular imaging based on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted ultrasound nanobubbles (NB). Materials and Methods Targeted PSMA-NB and non-targeted NB were constructed. The targeting ability of PSMA-NB on human prostate tumor 22RV1 cells (PSMA positive expression) and PC-3 cells (PSMA negative expression) was determined in vitro. Ten nude mouse models of human prostate tumor 22RV1 cells (n=5) and PC-3 cells (n=5) were constructed. PSMA-NB was injected into the rat tail vein,and in-situ blasting was performed. Ultrasound molecular images before and after blasting were collected,using destruction supplement post-processing technology to obtain and compare the differential ultrasound molecular imaging effects between the two groups. Results The particle size of PSMA-NB and NB were (363.7±24.4) nm and (236.0±55.2) nm,with statistical difference (t=3.19,P=0.007),respectively. Cell targeting results showed that PSMA-NB only adhered to the nucleus with positive PSMA-expression. Animal experiments indicated that the differential ultrasonic molecular images of PSMA positive expression group only showed the highly enhanced area of contrast agent at the tumor site,with no background noise. Conclusion Background free differential ultrasound molecular images can be used for precise targeted diagnosis and localization of PSMA positive prostate cancer,which is constructed based on PSMA targeted ultrasound nanobubbles.

Purpose To explore the feasibility of targeted diagnosis and localization of prostate cancer via background free differential ultrasound molecular imaging based on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted ultrasound nanobubbles (NB). Materials and Methods Targeted PSMA-NB and non-targeted NB were constructed. The targeting ability of PSMA-NB on human prostate tumor 22RV1 cells (PSMA positive expression) and PC-3 cells (PSMA negative expression) was determined in vitro. Ten nude mouse models of human prostate tumor 22RV1 cells (n=5) and PC-3 cells (n=5) were constructed. PSMA-NB was injected into the rat tail vein,and in-situ blasting was performed. Ultrasound molecular images before and after blasting were collected,using destruction supplement post-processing technology to obtain and compare the differential ultrasound molecular imaging effects between the two groups. Results The particle size of PSMA-NB and NB were (363.7±24.4) nm and (236.0±55.2) nm,with statistical difference (t=3.19,P=0.007),respectively. Cell targeting results showed that PSMA-NB only adhered to the nucleus with positive PSMA-expression. Animal experiments indicated that the differential ultrasonic molecular images of PSMA positive expression group only showed the highly enhanced area of contrast agent at the tumor site,with no background noise. Conclusion Background free differential ultrasound molecular images can be used for precise targeted diagnosis and localization of PSMA positive prostate cancer,which is constructed based on PSMA targeted ultrasound nanobubbles.