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Towards clinically translatable NIR fluorescence molecular guidance for colonoscopy.
P Beatriz Garcia-Allende1, Jürgen Glatz1, Maximilian Koch1
1Chair for Biological Imaging & Institute for Biological and Medical Imaging, Technische Universität München and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Trogerstr. 9 D-81675, München, Germany.
Biomedical Optics Express
|January 28, 2014
Summary
Near-infrared fluorescence imaging enhances colonoscopy for early cancer detection by overcoming limitations of standard white-light colonoscopy. This molecular guidance improves lesion visualization and characterization, paving the way for clinical translation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Gastroenterology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- Standard white-light colonoscopy has limitations in detecting colorectal cancer precursors, including high adenoma miss rates and insufficient diagnostic yield.
- Current methods lack the ability to reveal functional and morphological information of detected lesions, hindering effective treatment.
- Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence molecular guidance offers potential for enhanced early lesion detection and characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the challenges in clinical translation of NIR fluorescence molecular guidance for colonoscopy.
- To propose and validate alternative flexible endoscopic fluorescence imaging methods for improved colorectal cancer screening.
- To bridge the gap between pre-clinical research and clinical application of NIR fluorescence imaging.
Main Methods:
- Development and validation of two alternative flexible endoscopic fluorescence imaging methods using CE-certified commercial endoscopes.
- Employment of an approved monoclonal antibody labeled with a clinically applicable NIR fluorophore for molecular guidance.
- Pre-clinical evaluation of the proposed imaging strategies for enhanced lesion visualization and characterization.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated feasibility of two novel endoscopic fluorescence imaging approaches for NIR molecular guidance.
- Successfully visualized superficial and sub-surface tissue biomarkers with minimized tissue attenuation and autofluorescence.
- Validated the potential of these strategies for bridging NIR fluorescence molecular guidance to clinical translation.
Conclusions:
- NIR fluorescence molecular guidance holds significant promise for improving early colorectal cancer detection and lesion characterization.
- The proposed endoscopic imaging methods offer a viable pathway for clinical translation, overcoming current technological and agent-related challenges.
- Further development and validation are warranted to integrate this advanced imaging modality into routine clinical practice for enhanced colorectal cancer prevention.
