Autofluorescence spectroscopy of surgical lung specimens
Research type
Research Study
Full title
High resolution autofluorescence spectroscopic characterisation of lung surgical resection specimens.
IRAS ID
160639
Contact name
Jeremy Prydal
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals of leicester NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Thoracic malignancies including lung cancer and mesothelioma together account for around 35,000 cancer related deaths in the UK and most cases are associated with a poor prognosis. Early diagnosis leads to improved mortality.
Natural autofluorescence of tissues provides a potentially rich source of information. 'Naked-eye' broadband autofluorescence has been exploited during bronchoscopy to detect lung tumours, but is not sufficiently sensitive or specific.
We have used high-resolution autofluorescence spectrometry of biological specimens and distinguished different species of microorganism, and malignant melanoma from normal skin. It is hypothesised that more detailed spectral characteristics of lung tissue will allow for highly sensitive and specific real-time detection of cancerous and even pre-cancerous lesions during bronchoscopy
The aim of this study is to perform swift high-resolution spectroscopic examination of surgically resected lung specimens soon after they are taken and before they are processed by the histopathology laboratory. Matching the spectroscopic fingerprints of abnormal tissue to the subsequent histopathological diagnosis will allow the production of a library of reference spectra that can be exploited for use during bronchoscopic examination in the future.REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/2089
Date of REC Opinion
19 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion