Pancreatic cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in the United States with most cancers diagnosed at a late, incurable stage. None of the existing approaches, including high-resolution imaging (MRI, CT, etc.), molecular diagnostics, and endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), has shown the capability to detect pancreatic neoplasms sufficiently early to allow effective treatment. Current imaging modalities as well as ERCP depend on the presence of a mass lesion, and, therefore, even if the resolution of these tests is improved, we will still be dealing with a tumor that is biologically too advanced for cure. The objective of this is to develop a biophotonics solution for detection of pancreatic cancer in early timepoints without the need for direct interrogation of the pancreas. Two novel complementary photonic strategies that do not suffer from the limitations of the existing approaches will be employed.
