Enhancing fluorescence-guided surgery with biodegradable NPs encapsulating coloring dye Green 8

Accurate visualization of tumor margins is critical during surgical resection to reduce recurrence and improve patient outcomes. Clinically approved fluorescent dyes like Indocyanine Green and Methylene Blue are limited by low brightness, poor specificity, and rapid clearance. In this study, we developed biodegradable nanoparticles encapsulating Green 8 (G8), an FDA-approved drug and cosmetic dye with significantly higher fluorescence than existing clinical agents. Two nanoparticle platforms—silica-based and liposomal—were fabricated and characterized for size, stability, and optical properties. Liposomal G8 nanoparticles exhibited superior fluorescence intensity and biocompatibility and were selected for in vivo testing in an oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) xenograft model. Following intravenous administration, G8 liposomes demonstrated strong tumor accumulation via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and significantly higher tumor-to-background contrast compared to free dye. These findings support the translational potential of G8-loaded liposomes as a bright and cost-effective contrast agent for fluorescence-guided surgery.