Although new cancer treatment methods developed in the past decade have shown promise in minimally or noninvasive eradication of tumors, surgery remains the primary treatment paradigm for most solid tumors. Surgeons previously relied on pre-operative images for tumor resection, but recent efforts to provide image guidance in the operating room have significantly improved tumor localization. Optical imaging techniques, in particular, have found a niche in the operating room because of their relatively low cost, use of non-ionizing radiation, fast data acquisition, and real-time image guidance. However, microscopic optical technologies have small field of view, which confines their use to sampling small tissue volumes. Current intraoperative planar imaging systems display 2D images on computer monitors, requiring the surgeon to alternate between the surgical site and the monitor. The large size of these systems challenges their use in small surgical suites and hampers portability. Tomographic approaches are capable of 3D display, but the complex instrumentation and intensive image analysis precludes real-time feedback and may require steep learning curve for operators. Another related overarching problem is the prevalence of positive surgical margins because of the lack of a reliable imaging agent for intraoperative surgical margin assessment, leading to costly repeat visits. Therefore, there is a compelling need to develop an accurate, affordable, user-friendly, portable, and versatile intraoperative imaging system with real-time imaging capability. The technology platform should also be able of providing real-time assessment of surgical margins. To accomplish these goals, we will develop an intra-operative near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence/reflectance 3D imaging goggle system that can accurately image tumor boundaries, small positive nodules, and provide image guidance in real-time. Intraoperative surgical margin assessment will be aided by a tumor-selective optical imaging agent optimized for the goggle system. At the development stage, the goggle system will use information from the molecular probe to optimize the detection scheme. Specifically, we will develop and optimize a hands-free 3D head-mounted fluorescence imaging and display system, and a near infrared imaging agent for in vivo staining of tumor margins. We will then use the goggle system for molecular imaging of small animal models of breast cancer, as well as canine breast cancer patients. Pharmacology and safety data generated from these studies will be used for investigational new drug (IND) and device exemption (IDE) application to the FDA.

Public Health Relevance

We will develop a simple wearable imaging system to guide surgeons in visualizing tumors in the operating room. Detection of tumor boundaries will be accomplished with a near-infrared fluorescent molecular probe. The synergistic coupling of tumor-selective fluorescent molecular probe with real-time fluorescence imaging using the goggle system will prevent the need for revisits to remove additional tumors missed during the first procedure, thereby saving costs and undue stress to patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01CA171651-01A1
Application #
8458649
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BMIT-J (01))
Program Officer
Farahani, Keyvan
Project Start
2013-01-16
Project End
2017-12-31
Budget Start
2013-01-16
Budget End
2013-12-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$633,775
Indirect Cost
$161,976
Name
Washington University
Department
Radiation-Diagnostic/Oncology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Miller, Jessica; Wang, Steven T; Orukari, Inema et al. (2018) Perfusion-based fluorescence imaging method delineates diverse organs and identifies multifocal tumors using generic near-infrared molecular probes. J Biophotonics 11:e201700232
Garcia, Missael; Edmiston, Christopher; York, Timothy et al. (2018) Bio-inspired imager improves sensitivity in near-infrared fluorescence image-guided surgery. Optica 5:413-422
Zheleznyak, Alexander; Shokeen, Monica; Achilefu, Samuel (2018) Nanotherapeutics for multiple myeloma. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 10:e1526
Gilson, Rebecca C; Black, Kvar C L; Lane, Daniel D et al. (2017) Hybrid TiO2 -Ruthenium Nano-photosensitizer Synergistically Produces Reactive Oxygen Species in both Hypoxic and Normoxic Conditions. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 56:10717-10720
Miller, Jessica P; Habimana-Griffin, LeMoyne; Edwards, Tracy S et al. (2017) Multimodal fluorescence molecular imaging for in vivo characterization of skin cancer using endogenous and exogenous fluorophores. J Biomed Opt 22:66007
Miller, Jessica P; Maji, Dolonchampa; Lam, Jesse et al. (2017) Noninvasive depth estimation using tissue optical properties and a dual-wavelength fluorescent molecular probe in vivo. Biomed Opt Express 8:3095-3109
Mondal, Suman B; Gao, Shengkui; Zhu, Nan et al. (2017) Optical See-Through Cancer Vision Goggles Enable Direct Patient Visualization and Real-Time Fluorescence-Guided Oncologic Surgery. Ann Surg Oncol 24:1897-1903
Som, Avik; Bloch, Sharon; Ippolito, Joseph E et al. (2016) Acidic extracellular pH of tumors induces octamer-binding transcription factor 4 expression in murine fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo. Sci Rep 6:27803
Sun, Jessica; Miller, Jessica P; Hathi, Deep et al. (2016) Enhancing in vivo tumor boundary delineation with structured illumination fluorescence molecular imaging and spatial gradient mapping. J Biomed Opt 21:80502
Miller, Jessica P; Egbulefu, Christopher; Prior, Julie L et al. (2016) Gradient-Based Algorithm for Determining Tumor Volumes in Small Animals Using Planar Fluorescence Imaging Platform. Tomography 2:17-25

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