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Computational Biophotonics for Endoscopic Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Project description

DEENESFRITPL

Maximum-precision, minimally invasive tumour diagnosis

The endoscopic diagnosis and therapy of tumours currently suffer from limited sensitivity and specificity, resulting in overtreatment and undertreatment, tumour recurrence, intra-operative complications and high costs. However, the EU-funded COMBIOSCOPY project aims to revolutionise clinical endoscopic imaging by combining biophotonics and computer-assisted interventions. The project aims to develop quantitative multimodal imaging biomarkers that provide information beyond that seen with the naked eye. This will be achieved by combining white light images with multispectral optical and photoacoustic images to reconstruct the visible surface in 3D and subsurface anatomical and functional details. The project’s ultimate goal is to provide high-precision, minimally invasive tumour diagnosis and therapy at low cost. COMBIOSCOPY has the potential to reduce the incidence of overtreatment and undertreatment.

Objective

Key challenges in endoscopic tumor diagnosis and therapy consist of the detection and discrimination of malignant tissue as well as the precise navigation of medical instruments. Currently, a low level of sensitivity and specificity in tumor detection and lack of global orientation lead to both over- and undertreatment, tumor recurrence, intra-operative complications, and high costs. The goal of this multidisciplinary project is to revolutionize clinical endoscopic imaging based on the systematic integration of two new but independant fields of research up until this point: Biophotonics and computer-assisted interventions (COMputational BIOphotonics in endoSCOPY).

For the first time, quantitative multi-modal imaging biomarkers based on structural and functional data are being developed to enhance the physician’s view by providing information that cannot be seen with the naked eye. To this extent, white light images co-registered with multispectral optical and photoacoustic images will be processed in a combined manner to dynamically reconstruct not only the visible surface in 3D but also subsurface anatomical and functional detail such as 3D vessel topology, blood volume and oxygenation. Spatio-temporal registration of multi-modal data acquired before and during the procedure will enable (1) the highly specific local tissue classification and discrimination based on tissue shape, texture, function and radiological contrast imagery as well as (2) global context-aware instrument guidance.

This innovative approach to radiation-free real-time imaging will be implemented and evaluated by means of computer-assisted colonoscopy and laparoscopy. The potential socioeconomic impact of providing high precision minimally-invasive tumor diagnosis and therapy at low cost is extremely high.

Fields of science

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Call for proposal

ERC-2014-STG

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Funding Scheme

ERC-STG - Starting Grant

Host institution

DEUTSCHES KREBSFORSCHUNGSZENTRUM HEIDELBERG
Net EU contribution
€ 1 256 437,50
Address
IM NEUENHEIMER FELD 280
69120 Heidelberg
Germany

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Region
Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
€ 1 256 437,50

Beneficiaries (3)

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Last update: 5 April 2023

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/637960

European Union, 2024