Differential Optical Mammography
Creators: name: University Of California Office Of The President
Publisher: name: University of California Office of the President
publisherIdentifier: https://ror.org/00dmfq477
publisherIdentifierScheme: ROR
Year: 2024

description: Cancer therapy research has revealed properties of tumor vasculature produced through angiogenesis that hold high promise for breast cancer detection and diagnosis using light. Each of these properties-1) low oxygenation improvement, 2) atypical vasoactivity, and 3) blood pooling-can be monitored through optical measurements on oxy- and deoxy-hemoglobin during inhalation of varying levels of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Imaging using such cancer-specific information will improve our ability to detect cancers earlier. Because optical imaging is non-invasive and uses no ionizing radiation, no significant risk is associated with its use. CO2 and O2 are attractive contrast-enhancing agents because they are safe and require no injection or lengthy times between administration and imaging. To implement this approach, breast images taken before and during inhalation of O2 or CO2 will be subtracted (differential imaging) in a technique we call differential vasoactive optical imaging (DVOI). Previous studies in tumor-bearing animals have shown a dramatic increase in contrast between cancerous vs. non-cancerous tissue using the DVOI approach. We hypothesize that DVOI will also perform well in humans, and offer either an alternative or an adjunct method to X-ray mammography and other imaging modalities (e.g., MRI and PET) to improve the earlier detection of cancer. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 This CBCRP-funded project is a collaboration between a basic researcher in medical physics and optical detection (Dr. Faris) and a radiologist with expertise in breast imaging (Dr. Birdwell). Our near-term goal is to investigate the capabilities of the innovative DVOI optical imaging approach. Our specific aims are to: 1) modify and improve our system to allow human imaging, 2) perform preliminary clinical studies of DVOI, 3) perform imaging on animal models to better understand variability in the vasoactive response, 4) modify and refine O2 and CO2 inhalation protocols for humans, and 5) refine our data analysis procedures. Animal model work will continue in parallel with clinical studies to allow the testing of new protocols. Because of the large amount of data acquired (two images as a function of time), methods will be developed to facilitate image analysis. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Because the cost of optical imaging can be very low (less than $1,000 for the cost of parts for a system in some cases), it could be used as an inexpensive adjunct to X-ray mammography. With the transition to digital X-ray mammography, optical imaging and X-ray mammography could also share the same camera. If functional optical imaging can detect tumors missed on X-ray mammography (false-negative results), it could facilitate earlier therapy and improve chances for survival. Likewise, if this approach can improve the diagnosis of breast cancer (reduce the number of false-positive diagnoses), it could reduce the worry and economic cost of unnecessary biopsies.