A dual-responsive fluorescent probe for cancer diagnostics via simultaneous detection of H2S and hNQO1

Abstract

Cancer biomarkers, including hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and human NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase-1 (hNQO1), are critical indicators of tumor presence and progression, offering valuable insights for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. H2S, a gasotransmitter that is overexpressed in various cancers, promotes tumor progression and metastasis, while hNQO1, an enzyme involved in cellular redox balance, is upregulated in multiple cancers and associated with poor patient outcomes. Here, we report the development of a novel dual-responsive fluorescent probe, azide-coumarin-trimethyl lock quinone (ACT), designed to selectively detect both H2S and hNQO1 activity in live cells. ACT remains minimally fluorescent under physiological conditions but exhibits a strong fluorescence upon co-recognition of H2S and hNQO1. This dual-targeting probe enables the distinction between cancerous and normal cells, underscoring its potential as a sensitive and selective diagnostic tool for cancers characterized by the co-overexpression of these biomarkers.