Project description
Advanced high-resolution structural and molecular imaging for cancer
In contemporary clinical practice, MRI and CT scans are the primary tools used for detailed structural imaging of tissues and organs, providing essential information about anatomical features and structural abnormalities. Immuno-PET and SPECT are critical for identifying and tracking the distribution and activity of specific molecules within the body. Together, these imaging modalities play complementary roles in diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions. The ERC-funded Immuno-OCT project aims to develop structural and molecular sensitive imaging with a 10-100-fold better resolution. The team proposes to combine endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) with depth-resolved fluorescence from labelled antibodies for a high-resolution, multi-target imaging approach. The new method is expected to transform diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of diseases like cancer.
Objective
Current clinical medicine relies on MRI and CT for structural imaging, and immuno-PET/SPECT for molecular specificity. The combination of structural imaging and molecular specific imaging provides detailed information about expression of proteins and cell surface receptors in vivo in humans. PET-CT/MRI has become an essential component of personalized medicine. However, the resolution of MRI/CT is just under a millimeter, while the resolution of PET is limited to about 2-10 millimeters, insufficient for early disease detection. Moreover, PET is associated with radiation burden of ligands labeled with a radiotracer and can image only one labeled ligand at a time.
What is missing is the ability to image in vivo with much higher resolution, and to image multiple molecular targets and molecular interactions simultaneously. I propose to develop the optical equivalent of PET- CT/MRI with a 10 to 100 fold better resolution. To reach this goal I will integrate three-dimensional endoscopic Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for structural information with depth resolved imaging of fluorescently labeled monoclonal antibodies for molecular specificity.
To image the hollow organs accessible by endoscopy, I will develop the immuno-OCT technology integrated with miniature motorized catheters and the multi-fiber detection technology for depth resolved fluorescence determination for endoscopic immuno-OCT in catheters as small as 1.5 mm diameter. I will focus on esophageal cancer and lung disease. The proposed research has a much broader impact, creating a platform to study in detail therapy-tissue interactions longitudinally in vivo in patients, providing in vivo information approaching immunohistochemistry analysis. This approach will revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of patients with a resolution approaching immunohistology at high speed over large volumes using minimally invasive technologies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
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Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Topic(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsHost institution
1081 HV Amsterdam
Netherlands