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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
High-resolution Fiber-optic Microendoscopy for in situ Cellular Imaging
Published on: January 11, 2011
In vivo high-resolution fluorescence microendoscopy for ovarian cancer detection and treatment monitoring
1Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Background:
In patients with advanced ovarian cancer (OvCa), microscopic residual tumour nodules that remain after surgical debulking frequently escape detection by current treatment assessment methods and lead to disease recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of high-resolution fibre-optic fluorescence imaging of the clinically approved photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent benzoporphyin-derivative monoacid ring A (BPD-MA) for detection of microscopic OvCa and for monitoring treatment response.
Methods:
Our fluorescence microendoscope consists of a flexible imaging fibre coupled to a custom epi-fluorescence system optimised for imaging BPD-MA, which, after a single administration, serves as both an imaging agent and a light-activated therapeutic agent. After characterisation in an in vitro OvCa 3D model, we used the flexible imaging fibre to minimally invasively image the peritoneal cavity of a disseminated OvCa murine model using BPD-MA administered intraperitoneally (i.p.). To evaluate longitudinal changes in response to treatment, we compared sets of images obtained before and after PDT with those from untreated mice imaged at the same time points.
Results:
By comparison with histopathology, we report an 86% sensitivity for tumour detection in vivo using the microendoscope. Using a custom routine to batch process-image data in the monitoring study, treated mice exhibited an average decrease of 58.8% in tumour volumes compared with an increase of 59.3% in untreated controls (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
Our findings indicate the potential of this approach as a reporter of treatment outcome that could aid in the rational design of strategies to mitigate recurrent OvCa.
Insights
High-resolution fluorescence imaging of benzoporphyrin-derivative monoacid ring A (BPD-MA) effectively detects microscopic ovarian cancer (OvCa) and monitors treatment response. This approach shows promise for improving patient outcomes and reducing disease recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Medical imaging
- Ovarian cancer diagnostics
- Photodynamic therapy
Background:
- Microscopic residual tumor nodules in advanced ovarian cancer (OvCa) evade current detection methods post-surgery, leading to recurrence.
- Effective detection and monitoring strategies are crucial for improving treatment outcomes in OvCa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate high-resolution fiber-optic fluorescence imaging of benzoporphyrin-derivative monoacid ring A (BPD-MA) for detecting microscopic OvCa.
- To assess the utility of BPD-MA fluorescence imaging for monitoring treatment response in OvCa.
Main Methods:
- Developed a fluorescence microendoscope system optimized for imaging BPD-MA, a dual-action imaging and therapeutic agent.
- Characterized BPD-MA in an in vitro OvCa 3D model.
- Minimally invasively imaged the peritoneal cavity of a murine OvCa model using BPD-MA and compared longitudinal changes before and after photodynamic therapy (PDT) with untreated controls.
Main Results:
- The microendoscope achieved 86% sensitivity for in vivo tumor detection compared to histopathology.
- Treated mice showed a significant average decrease of 58.8% in tumor volume post-PDT, while untreated controls had a 59.3% increase (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Fluorescence imaging of BPD-MA demonstrates potential as a sensitive method for detecting microscopic OvCa.
- This imaging approach can serve as a valuable reporter of treatment outcome, aiding in the design of strategies to prevent OvCa recurrence.
