Photodynamic fluorescence spectroscopy for staging in rectal cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Photodynamic fluorescence and near infrared spectroscopy for investigation of prognostic markers and improved stratification and staging in rectal cancer.
IRAS ID
143040
Contact name
Gregory Taylor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Research summary
The proposed study will assess the feasibilty of using photodynamic fluorescence spectroscopy to quantitatively measure induced fluorescence in rectal cancer tissue.
10 patients with known rectal cancer will be given 20mg/kg oral 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) 2-4 hours prior to surgery. All aspects of patient care will be according to clinical indication as will the histological processing of resected specimens. Fluorescence will be assessed at three points in the routine clinical pathway: intra-operatively using specific fluorescence imaging equipment; in the fresh resected specimen using fibre-optic near infrared fluorescence spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy; and in the formalin fixed and sectioned specimen using fluorescence microscopy.
The photodynamic light system and 5-ALA (Gliolan) photodynamic diagnosis system is approved and licensed for use in bladder transitional cell carcionoma and in malignant glioma of the brain. The system and oral 5-ALA preparation is also approved for use in an ongoing clinical trial run by our group.
Examination of the fresh specimen will also include near infrared spectroscopy of naturally occuring fluorophores within the tissue in addition to other than the spectra emitted by 5-ALA . This will investigate differences in several key molecules in that have the potential to provide new 'optical markers' for rectal cancer. The relevance of performing these ex vivo tests via optical fibres is to demonstrate the potential for future in vivo work and ultimate clinical use.
The fluorescence and spectroscopy data will be compiled and compared with histology as reported by standard pathological techniques. The principle aim of the study is therefore to demonstrate the feasibilty of using near infrared spectroscopy to quantify the fluorescence induced in malignant tissue by 5-ALA. The potential of photodynamic fluorescence will be assessed amongst a range of optical markers for providing real-time, in vivo molecular information on pathology, tumour biology and prognosis.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NE/0149
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion