Cutting-edge visualization method developed in Dresden reveals cancer cells clearly
A groundbreaking news technology, developed by researchers Oliver Bruns from NCT/UCC Dresden and Ellen Sletten from UCLA, is poised to revolutionize the detection and treatment of cancer.
The innovative technology employs short-wave infrared light and special fluorescent dyes, offering the potential to improve the detection of tumor remnants, individual cancer cells at tumor borders, and in lymph nodes.
The technology combines state-of-the-art camera technology with the new news today technology, providing a powerful tool for surgeons and oncologists. The National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC) offers an ideal environment for these researchers, with its joint status with DKFZ, the Medical Faculty of TU Dresden, the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, and HZDR.
Professor Ellen Sletten explains that the use of infrared in imaging allows for determining different tissue types based on water content. This means that tissues and structures such as tumors or blood vessels can be made specifically visible, facilitating the removal of cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.
The development of new contrast agents is a key aspect of this technology. These agents illuminate the edge of the tumor, enabling surgeons to recognize tumors more precisely during surgery. The research group, led by Professor Sletten and Oliver Bruns, is currently based at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and is collaborating with Stanford University in California to test novel near-infrared imaging agents for improved cancer detection.
The technology has already been awarded the Helmholtz High Impact Award 2024 for its potential to revolutionize cancer imaging and treatment. Esther Troost, Dean of the Medical Faculty of TU Dresden, shares this optimism, believing that the research in imaging will significantly impact surgery in the coming years.
Clinical studies are currently being conducted in collaboration with Stanford University in California to document the benefits of the imaging systems for patients. The researchers' focus remains on the development of the latest technologies to improve cancer therapy.
This new imaging technology presents a promising step forward in the fight against cancer, offering hope for more accurate detection and effective treatment in the future.
