Fluorescence spectroscopy of gastrointestinal tumors: in vitro studies and in vivo clinical applications

The limitations of standard endoscopy for detection and evaluation of cancerous changes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) are significant challenges and initiate development of new diagnostic modalities. Therefore many spectral and optical techniques are applied recently into the clinical practice for obtaining qualitatively and quantitatively new data from gastrointestinal neoplasia with different levels of clinical applicability and diagnostic success. Fluorescence imaging has been one of the most promising technologies in this area. The technique is very topical with its practical application in intra-operative, image-guided resection of tumors, because it permits minimal surgery intervention and friendly therapeutic conditions. The investigations presented here are based on in vitro measurements of excitation-emission matrices (EEM) for GIT neoplasia and in vivo measurements in the frames of initial clinical trial for tumor fluorescence spectra detection, applied for introduction of spectroscopic diagnostic system for optical biopsy of GIT tumors in the daily clinical practice of the University Hospital “Queen Jiovanna - ISUL”- Sofia. Autofluorescence and exogenous fluorescence signals are detected from normal mucosa, inflammation, dysphasia and carcinoma and main spectral features are evaluated. The systems and methods developed for diagnosis and monitoring could open new dimensions in diagnostic and real-time tumor resection. This will make the entire procedure more personal, patient friendly and effective and will help for further understanding of the tumor nature.