The more differentiated cells, however, are not terminally differentiated, do not withdraw from the cell cycle and therefore may resume proliferation. Yet, in spite of the heterogeneity of the tumors in terms of differentiation, the FTIR spectral patterns of tumor cell lines and cancer biopsies exhibit a remarkable similarity in the DNA region. It therefore can distinguish normal from cancer cells. Advantage was taken of this observation to test the FTIR potential for prognosis. The question is that whether the FTIR technology senses cellular potential for proliferation.
Cancer therapies aim at controlling tumor growth.
In this project, the question of these routes was addressed using two Neuroblastoma cell lines presenting distinct characteristics related to tumor aggressivity. By treating cells with compounds known to induce apoptosis, it was demonstrated that the FTIR test detects apoptosis at an early stage. This is reflected in the spectra by a drastic change in the protein peak region. The feasibility of using the FTIR technology for monitoring tumor control during the course of chemotherapy is strongly suggested by these results. However, before the FTIR technolgy can be adopted for prognosis tool, more research has to be done to characterize in detail the modifications exhibited by the FTIR spectra during the course of the treatment of neuroblastoma by the drug classically used to block the cell cycle.