Aryl-hydrocarbon receptor-based drug-screening strategy for hepatocellular carcinoma based on dynamic fluorescence imaging

Abstract

Development of fluorescence imaging-based drug-screening methods is crucial. We devised an AhR-specific platform AhRPH (LOD=8.7 ng/mL), which consists of vitamin-A functionalized liposomes targeting HSCs and encapsulating AhR-specific probes (ArP). It distinguished drug efficacy: sorafenib/lenvatinib boosted AhR (resistance), regorafenib suppressed it. This method is specific/sensitive but has limited in vivo depth.