Kothawade SN, Padwal V. Letter to the Editor: DAF-FM fluorescent probe: Advancing early detection of esophagitis-to-cancer transformation through nitric oxide imaging. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; 18(4): 115868 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i4.115868]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Sachin Namdeo Kothawade, PhD, Professor, Research Dean, Department of Pharmaceutics, SCSSS’s Sitabai Thite College of Pharmacy, Ghodnadi, Shirur 412210, Maharashtra, India. sachin.kothawade23@gmail.com
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Apr 27, 2026 (publication date) through Apr 24, 2026
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World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
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1948-9366
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Kothawade SN, Padwal V. Letter to the Editor: DAF-FM fluorescent probe: Advancing early detection of esophagitis-to-cancer transformation through nitric oxide imaging. World J Gastrointest Surg 2026; 18(4): 115868 [DOI: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i4.115868]
World J Gastrointest Surg. Apr 27, 2026; 18(4): 115868 Published online Apr 27, 2026. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v18.i4.115868
Letter to the Editor: DAF-FM fluorescent probe: Advancing early detection of esophagitis-to-cancer transformation through nitric oxide imaging
Sachin Namdeo Kothawade, Vijaya Padwal
Sachin Namdeo Kothawade, Vijaya Padwal, Department of Pharmaceutics, SCSSS’s Sitabai Thite College of Pharmacy, Shirur 412210, Maharashtra, India
Co-first authors: Sachin Namdeo Kothawade and Vijaya Padwal.
Author contributions: Kothawade SN was responsible for conceptualization; critical analysis of the original study, drafting of the manuscript, development of the translational framework, literature review, and manuscript revision; Padwal V was responsible for co-conceptualization, interpretation of mechanistic and clinical relevance, drafting specific sections related to nitric oxide biology and imaging, reference validation; manuscript editing and refinement; both authors have made crucial contributions to the completion of the manuscript as co-first authors; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Corresponding author: Sachin Namdeo Kothawade, PhD, Professor, Research Dean, Department of Pharmaceutics, SCSSS’s Sitabai Thite College of Pharmacy, Ghodnadi, Shirur 412210, Maharashtra, India. sachin.kothawade23@gmail.com
Received: October 27, 2025 Revised: November 26, 2025 Accepted: February 12, 2026 Published online: April 27, 2026 Processing time: 179 Days and 4.1 Hours
Abstract
Chen et al published a study in the recent issue of World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery evaluated the high-performance fluorescent probe DAF-FM provides a significant advancement in early esophageal cancer detection. DAF-FM enables real-time monitoring of nitric oxide during esophagitis-to-cancer transformation, with concentration-dependent and time-dependent fluorescence, lysosomal targeting, and low cytotoxicity. In preclinical models, DAF-FM fluorescence strongly correlates with tumor volume (R² = 0.87) and demonstrates superior sensitivity compared to endoscopic biopsy. These findings position DAF-FM as a rapid, non-invasive, and clinically relevant tool for early diagnosis and treatment monitoring in high-risk esophagitis patients.
Core Tip: This letter highlights the translational potential of DAF-FM for visualizing nitric oxide dynamics in esophagitis-to-cancer progression. By bridging molecular pathophysiology and clinical imaging, DAF-FM could enhance early detection, improve personalized therapy monitoring, and expedite the translation of molecular insights into practical clinical applications.
