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Detection and Isolation of Circulating Melanoma Cells using Photoacoustic Flowmetry
Published on: November 25, 2011
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Label-free high-throughput detection and quantification of circulating melanoma tumor cell clusters by
Pengfei Hai, Yong Zhou, Ruiying Zhang1
1Washington University in St. Louis, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Optical Imaging Laboratory, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States.
Journal of Biomedical Optics
|November 11, 2016
Summary
This study introduces a new photoacoustic tomography system for detecting and quantifying circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters in vivo. The technology accurately measures CTC cluster size, aiding cancer metastasis research.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Optics
- Cancer Research
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Circulating tumor cell (CTC) clusters significantly increase cancer metastasis risk compared to single CTCs.
- Accurate detection and quantification of CTC clusters are crucial for understanding metastasis and improving cancer treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a label-free, high-throughput system for detecting and quantifying CTC clusters in vivo using linear-array-based photoacoustic tomography (LA-PAT).
- To establish the relationship between image contrast and the number of cells within CTC clusters.
- To demonstrate the system's capability in a live animal model.
Main Methods:
- Application of a linear-array-based photoacoustic tomography (LA-PAT) system for imaging.
- Improved image reconstruction algorithms for enhanced detection and quantification.
- Ex vivo and in vivo imaging of melanoma CTC clusters in rats.
- Correlation analysis between contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) and cell counts in clusters.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated feasibility of LA-PAT for imaging CTC clusters ex vivo.
- Established that melanoma CTC clusters of at least four cells are detectable and quantifiable via CNR.
- Successfully imaged and quantified injected melanoma CTC clusters in rats in vivo.
- Observed that larger CTC clusters exhibit faster bloodstream clearance rates, consistent with existing literature.
Conclusions:
- LA-PAT system effectively detects and quantifies melanoma CTC clusters in vivo.
- The developed technology shows significant potential for advancing tumor metastasis studies.
- This method offers a promising tool for improving cancer therapy strategies through better monitoring of metastatic potential.
