Raman spectroscopy in the oral cavity - a pilot study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Raman spectroscopy in the oral cavity - pilot study - In vitro analysis of healthy tissue using Raman microscopy in conjunction with a miniaturised Raman probe.
IRAS ID
248397
Contact name
Nicola West
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 10 days
Research summary
Raman spectroscopy is a highly sensitive, non-invasive, non-destructive method of chemical analysis of tissue which has the potential to be used in patients. In the laboratory, Raman probes manufactured by The Interface Analysis Centre, School of Physics, University of Bristol, in collaboration with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSHT, have been used in endoscopes to detect pre-cancerous high-grade dysplastic changes indicative of Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition which regularly progresses into oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
It is proposed that Raman spectroscopy could also be utilised in oral cancer screening and diagnosis, with the potential to supersede the current gold standard screening method (visual inspection followed by biopsy and histopathological analysis). In addition, it could provide a non invasive method to detect early stage dental decay which cannot be seen by eye and can difficult to diagnose, this would allow early treatment of decay and help preserve teeth.
To develop the technique for these purposes it is first necessary to measure the Raman spectra typical of normal oral tissues, thus the primary aim of this study will be to determine the normal spectra for different tissues of the oral cavity. It is intended that subsequently spectra will then be compared with those obtained from abnormal precancerous and cancerous tissues and dental caries to determine if there are differences and whether the technique is suitable as a potential screening or diagnostic tool.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/EE/0226
Date of REC Opinion
24 Jul 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion