The surgical removal of tumors while preserving healthy tissue is a complex task that often relies on the surgeon’s judgment.
A team of researchers from Mass General Brigham has developed a novel visualization tool called fluorescence lifetime (FLT) imaging.
It combines high-speed cameras with fluorescent injection to accurately differentiate tumor tissue from normal tissue across various cancer types.
This technology aims to enhance the precision of cancer surgeries by providing real-time guidance to surgeons.
Background
Traditional surgical procedures for cancer involve visually distinguishing between tumor and healthy tissue, which can be challenging, especially when dealing with microscopic or infiltrative tumors.
Fluorescence imaging has shown promise in highlighting tumor tissue using fluorescent dyes, but it has not been widely adopted due to limitations in accuracy and specificity.
Key Findings
The research team, led by Dr. Anand Kumar, introduced FLT imaging, a groundbreaking approach that relies on changes in emitted light properties rather than fluorescent dyes alone.
FLT imaging involves the use of high-speed cameras to detect differences in the fluorescence lifetime of tissues, allowing for precise discrimination between tumor and normal tissue.
To validate the effectiveness of FLT imaging, the team conducted an extensive study involving samples from over 60 patients with various cancer types, including liver, brain, tongue, skin, bone, and soft tissue.
These patients received an injection of indocyanine green (ICG) at least one day before surgery. The results were highly promising, with FLT imaging demonstrating over 97% accuracy in distinguishing tumor tissue from healthy tissue across all cancer types.
The researchers also noted that FLT imaging could differentiate between benign and metastatic lymph nodes, a critical aspect of cancer surgery.
It is important to highlight that while ICG is approved by the FDA for other purposes, it is not yet approved for clinical use as a tumor-marking agent.
The researchers plan to conduct larger-scale clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of FLT imaging with ICG for tumor identification during surgeries.
Implications
The development of FLT imaging represents a significant advancement in cancer surgery. By providing real-time, accurate guidance to surgeons, this technology has the potential to improve the precision and outcomes of cancer surgeries.
It may reduce the need for additional surgeries to remove residual tumor tissue, leading to better patient outcomes, faster recovery times, and enhanced postoperative function.
Conclusion
Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLT) has emerged as a precise tool in cancer surgery, offering the potential to revolutionize tumor removal procedures.
Its ability to differentiate between tumor and normal tissue across various cancer types holds promise for improving surgical outcomes and enhancing patient well-being.
Future clinical trials will play a crucial role in validating the safety and efficacy of FLT imaging for tumor identification during surgeries.
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The research findings can be found in Nature Biomedical Engineering.
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