Cancer Commentary - Caring About Cancer

Optical Probe Can Detect Pre-Cancer Cells in Human Tissue

by Gloria Gamat on April 1st, 2007

Researchers at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering have developed a light-based probe which has demonstrated, in first laboratory tests on human tissue, to be able to instantly detect the earliest signs of cancer in cells lining the internal organs.

According to Adam Wax, professor of biomedical engineering:

Our initial study is very promising. We looked at tissue removed from just a handful of patients and were able to get 100 percent sensitivity. We could detect pre-cancer in the esophagus and distinguish it from normal tissue like you would find in the stomach.”

We all read and hear from experts that once cancer is detected in its earliest stage, the patient will have the higher chance of survival.

These preliminary findings on the success of the optical-probe in cancer detection, once confirmed through clinical trials, then we’ll be looking in the future for improved early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of many types of cancer.

The fiber-optic device developed by Wax and his team is the fa/LCI (frequency-domain angle-resolved low coherence interferometry)-enhanced version of an endoscope (instruments used to visualize internal organs).

Find more details from the full report.

[In photo: Biomedical engineer Adam Wax and team developed device now ready for clinical trial. (Credit: Duke Photography: Les Todd)]

Tags: cancer-detection, fa/LCI, light-based-probe

Share This

Related Stories

Finally, a High Contrast 3-D Imaging for Breast Cancer
Magnetic Probe Detects Metastases in Breast Cancer
Novel Optical Technology Detects Pancreatic Cancer Early
“Probe” Made of Aptamers: New, Molecular Approach for Early Cancer Detection
Imaging Technology Reveals Small Molecule Compounds That Kill Tumor Cells

POSTED IN: ~ Diagnosing cancer ~