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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Surface-enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering Nanoprobe Ratiometry for Detecting Microscopic Ovarian Cancer via Folate Receptor Targeting
Published on: March 25, 2019
Fiber-optic probes enable cancer detection with FTIR spectroscopy
Mark A Mackanos1, Christopher H Contag
1Department of Pediatrics, Microbiology & Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. mark.mackanos@vanderbilt.edu
Abstract:
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) reveals biochemical 'fingerprints' and has found disease patterns in excised human tissues. Fiber-optic probes have been developed for FTIR in living systems, allowing for cancer detection. There are challenges to making in vivo FTIR a reality, which are being addressed through hardware advances, determining key wavelengths and tissue preparation. Fiber-optic evanescent wave spectroscopy (FEWS)-FTIR with endoscope-compatible fiber-optic silver halide probes is feasible, and could prove useful for distinguishing premalignant and malignant tissues from biopsies or within patients. Developments of smaller silver halide probes as well as in vivo tissue drying methods will move this approach closer to the clinic where it can be used for early cancer detection, disease characterization and guided biopsies.
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