Polarized Reflectance Spectroscopy for Pre-Cancer Detection
Speaker: A/Prof. Konstantin Sokolov, Department of Imaging Physics, UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston,
When: 2004-12-02 14:00:00
Venue: 78-420
Host: Dr. Andrei Zvyagin
Abstract:Cancer is a major public health problem. Worldwide, more than 6
million people die from cancer each year and more than 10 million
new cases are detected. The majority of cancers are of epithelial
origin. Early diagnosis of pre-invasive epithelial neoplasia can
dramatically reduce the incidence and mortality of carcinoma. Thus,
there is a desperate need for highly sensitive and cost-effective
screening and diagnostic techniques to identify curable
pre-cancerous lesions. Epithelial pre-cancers are characterized by
a variety of architectural and morphological features including
increased nuclear size, increased nuclear/ cytoplasmic ratio,
hyperchromasia and pleomorphism. In addition, there is increasing
evidence of significant changes occurring in the stromal layer at
the earliest stages of carcinogenesis as a result of
epithelial-stromal interactions. A major limitation of current
clinical diagnosis is that morphological and molecular changes
associated with early carcinogenesis can be assessed only after
invasive biopsy. Optical techniques can assess morphologic and
biochemical alterations in epithelial tissue, non-invasively and in
real-time. Thus optical technologies hold great promise for
non-invasive detection and monitoring of pre-cancers.
In this presentation, I will describe development of a non-invasive
optical technique based on polarized reflectance spectroscopy that
has the potential to provide in real time diagnostically useful
information for pre-cancer detection. Our research activities
combine theoretical modeling of tissue scattering, quantitative
histopathology, optical and tissue engineering to address a
clinically significant problem. We gradually progress from cell
suspensions to realistic three-dimensional tissue models of
epithelium, then to biopsies and, finally to in vivo studies on
normal volunteers and clinical patients. Our results demonstrate
that polarized reflectance spectroscopy can significantly improve
sensitivity and specificity of cancer screening and detection.
Biography:Currently, the speaker holds position of Assistant Professor,
Department of Imaging Physics, The University of Texas
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; and Adjunct Assistant
Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of
Texas, Austin, Texas, U.S.
He obtained his Diploma Degree in Physics, Moscow Engineering
Physics Institute, Moscow, Russia,1987; and Ph.D., Moscow State
University, Moscow, Russia, 1992, Biophysics.
His postgraduate training took place in the Laboratory of
Biomolecular Spectroscopy, Reims University, Reims, France, 1993.
Before taking on the current appointment Dr. Sokolov held position
of Research Associate, Department of Biomedical Engineering,
University of Texas, Austin, Texas, U.S., 1998-2002.
A/Prof Sokolov is a group leader that has pioneered contrast agents
based on molecular specific nano-particulates to detect cancerous
cells in a living organism. This technique represents an essential
component in the Imaging Program of the Department. His research
experience includes: biomedical applications of surface-enhanced
Raman spectroscopy; methods for earlier detection of pre-cancers in
situ using optical spectroscopic and imaging techniques; molecular
specific contrast agents; and multiplexed imaging. His present
grant support is totalling 12 million dollars.
Type: ITEE Seminar
Contact:Dr. Andrei Zvyagin, seminar host (zvyagin@itee.uq.edu.au)
or Guido Governatori (ITEE seminar co-ordinator)
(guido@itee.uq.edu.au)