EARLY STAGES OF COLORECTAL CANCER CHARACTERIZATION BY AUTOFLUORESCENCE 3D MICROSCOPY: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Optical Imaging
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Colorectal cancer (CRC) necessitates early detection for improved prognosis, with colonoscopy and histology as current standards.
• Optical biopsy using autofluorescence analysis offers a potential method for in vivo assessment, reducing time and resources.
• Changes in autofluorescent molecules during CRC development can be analyzed via image processing for faster tissue characterization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify intensity parameters in 3D widefield autofluorescence microscopy images of colorectal tissue using digital processing.
• To characterize autofluorescence in a colorectal cancer (CRC) murine model at 2, 4, and 8 weeks post-induction.
• To assess the potential of autofluorescence analysis for early CRC detection.

Main Methods:

• Development of a CRC murine model using azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate induction.
• Acquisition of Z-stack 3D autofluorescence microscopy images from control and CRC-induced mice.
• Application of image processing workflows for intensity quantification and characterization, followed by statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• Histological assessment validated the CRC induction model and correlated with autofluorescence changes.
• Digital image processing revealed significant differences in autofluorescence parameters between control and early-stage CRC samples (2 weeks post-induction).
• CRC characteristics were detectable from the second week post-induction, indicating potential for early detection.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D autofluorescence imaging and processing method provides a basis for characterizing colorectal tissue from dysplasia to cancer.
• Preliminary results suggest early CRC detection is feasible by analyzing autofluorescence changes.
• Variability in autofluorescence currently limits complete data systematization during cancer progression.