- A multimodal probe can detect the metabolic composition of cancer cells during surgery
- The use of such a probe can ensure that all the cancer cells are detected and adequately treated
- The subsequent reduction in recurrences can increase life span in patients
Adjuvant therapy, unfortunately, does not only attack cancer cells. Due to its effects on normal cells, it can cause unpleasant side effects. Therefore, a method that can accurately detect all cancer cells so that they can be adequately treated during the primary surgery, could reduce the chances of recurrences and improve the cancer-free life span of the patient.
A multimodal optical spectroscopy probe could be the answer to the above problem. It is a handheld device that combines intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, and has been found to be extremely sensitive, specific and accurate in detecting cancer cells in the brain. The probe identifies the metabolic composition of the cancer cells. It can be used during surgery so that the cancer can be adequately treated, and the chances of recurrence are further reduced.
The probe has also been tested for other cancers of the colon, lung and the skin, with good results.
An older version of the probe is being tested in a clinical trial during surgery for a type of brain tumor called glioma. Depending on the results of the study, a clinical trial to evaluate the newer version of the probe will be designed. If results are positive and if the device receives FDA approval, its benefits could be extended to a larger population of cancer patients.
- Jermyn M et al. Highly accurate detection of cancer in situ with intraoperative, label-free, multimodal optical spectroscopy. Cancer Research (2017);77(14); 1–9 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-17-0668