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Computed Tomography-guided Time-domain Diffuse Fluorescence Tomography in Small Animals for Localization of Cancer Biomarkers
Published on: July 17, 2012
Čerenkov excited fluorescence tomography using external beam radiation
Jennifer-Lynn Demers1, Scott C Davis, Rongxiao Zhang
1Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, 14 Engineering Drive, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA. Jennifer‑Lynn.H.Demers.TH@dartmouth.edu
Optics Letters
|April 19, 2013
Summary
This study demonstrates that Čerenkov light from radiation therapy can image molecular reporters in tissue. This novel approach allows for molecular sensing of tissue response during cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Optical Imaging
- Molecular Imaging
Background:
- Radiation therapy for cancer generates Čerenkov emission.
- This emission can potentially excite molecular reporters in vivo.
- Sensing tissue response during fractionated therapy is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the spatial mapping of Čerenkov-excited molecular reporters using tomographic recovery.
- To evaluate the feasibility of in vivo molecular sensing during fractionated radiotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 6 MV photons from a linear accelerator in a heterogeneous tissue phantom.
- Employed diffuse tomography to recover fluorophore distribution from Čerenkov light.
- Used spectrometer detection and spectral fitting to differentiate signals.
Main Results:
- Čerenkov light successfully excited fluorophores throughout the tissue phantom.
- Fluorescent diffuse tomographic images demonstrated a linear response between concentration and reconstructed values.
- The method showed potential for molecular imaging applications.
Conclusions:
- Spatial mapping of Čerenkov-excited molecular reporters is feasible using diffuse tomography.
- This technique shows promise for molecular imaging during radiotherapy.
- Further application in treatment with molecular reporters appears promising.
