Published by De Gruyter

Volume 3 Issue 3 - Topic Issue: Photonics in personalized medicine / Issue Editors: Lothar Lilge and Brian C. Wilson

Issue of Photonics & Lasers in Medicine

Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available August 6, 2014

Editorial

Publicly Available August 6, 2014

Photonics in the development of personalized medicine

Lothar Lilge, Brian C. Wilson

Page range: 175-176

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Magazine section

Publicly Available August 6, 2014

Reviews

February 19, 2014

Porphysome nanoparticles: Tailoring treatments with nature’s pigments

Thomas D. MacDonald, Gang Zheng

Page range: 183-191

Abstract

Porphysomes are an emerging class of photonic nanoparticles formed from the self-assembly of porphyrin-lipid conjugates. They retain the multifunctional properties of their porphyrin building-blocks but also have unique properties emerging from the nanostructure itself. Porphysomes are able to act in a number of photonic modalities, from diagnostic fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging, to photodynamic and photothermal therapies. This flexibility enables customizable interventions with potential in the burgeoning field of personalized medicine. Here, we profile early porphysome-like liposomes, true porphysomes, as well as newer porphysome derivatives. We discuss the current applications and future outlook for these multimodal theranostic nanoparticles.

May 12, 2014

Applications of Raman spectroscopy to the urinary bladder for cancer diagnostics

Laura T. Kerr, Katarina Domijan, Ivor Cullen, Bryan M. Hennelly

Page range: 193-224

Abstract

Biomolecular changes associated with cancer progression can be identified using Raman spectroscopy, allowing for this technique to be utilized as a non-invasive tool for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Applications of Raman spectroscopy for diagnostics in real-time have consistently produced higher sensitivities and specificities than current clinical methods. This technique can be applied in vivo during bladder visualization (cystoscopic) procedures as an “optical biopsy” or in vitro to cells obtained from urine cytology specimens. This review follows the evolution of studies in this field from the first in vitro experiment to the most recent in vivo application, identifies how diagnostic algorithms are developed, and provides molecular information associated with the etiology of the biochemical continuum of disease progression. Future prospects for the application of Raman spectroscopy in bladder cancer diagnostics are also discussed.

June 18, 2014

A review of optical coherence tomography in breast cancer

Loretta Scolaro, Robert A. McLaughlin, Brendan F. Kennedy, Christobel M. Saunders, David D. Sampson

Page range: 225-240

Abstract

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a medical imaging modality that opens up new opportunities for imaging in breast cancer. It provides two- and three-dimensional micro-scale images of tissue structure from bulk tissue, in vivo or freshly excised without labeling or staining, is capable of video-rate acquisition speeds, and is compatible with compact imaging probes. In this paper, the authors briefly describe OCT technology and describe in detail its capabilities for imaging breast cancer. Potential applications identified in current research are discussed, particularly in the assessment of excised breast tumors. It is concluded that OCT shows promise for margin assessment and biopsy guidance but that much more research and validation is required to confirm its level of utility.

Original contributions

Publicly Available August 6, 2014

Diffuse optical tomography to monitor the photocoagulation front during interstitial photothermal therapy: Numerical simulations and measurements in tissue-simulating phantoms

Jie He, Brian C. Wilson, Daqing Piao, Robert Weersink

Page range: 241-254

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Abstract

Near-infrared interstitial photothermal therapy (PTT) is currently undergoing clinical trials as an alternative to watchful waiting or radical treatments in patients with low/intermediate-risk focal prostate cancer. Currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based thermography is used to monitor thermal energy delivery and determine indirectly the completeness of the target tumor destruction while avoiding damage to adjacent normal tissues, particularly the rectal wall. As an alternative, transrectal diffuse optical tomography (TRDOT) is being developed to image directly the photocoagulation boundary based on the changes in tissue optical properties, particularly scattering. An established diffusion-theory finite-element software platform was used to perform forward simulations to determine the sensitivity of changes in the optical signal resulting from a growing coagulated lesion with optical scattering contrast, for varying light source-detector separations in both longitudinal and transverse imaging geometries. The simulations were validated experimentally in tissue-simulating phantoms using an existing continuous-wave TRDOT system, in a configuration that is representative of one potential intended clinical use. This provides critical guidance for the optimum design of the transrectal applicator probe, in terms of achieving maximum sensitivity to the presence of the coagulation boundary and, consequently, the highest accuracy in determining the boundary location relative to the rectal wall.

April 16, 2014

Effects of low-level laser therapy on cartilage repair in an experimental model of osteoarthritis

Anderson Amaro dos Santos, Poliani Oliveira, Kelly Rossetti Fernandes, Lara Rhon, Carla Roberta Tim, Fernando Augusto Vasilceac, Karina Nogueira Zambone Pinto, Stela Marcia Mattiello, Nivaldo Antonio Parizotto, Ana Claudia Muniz Renno

Page range: 255-264

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on the degenerative process in the articular cartilage after an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) model in rats. Methods: Eighty male rats (Wistar) were divided into four groups: 1.) intact control group (CG), 2.) injured control group (ICG), 3.) injured laser-treated group at 10 J/cm 2 (L10) and 4.) injured laser-treated group at 50 J/cm 2 (L50). Animals were divided into 2 subgroups, with different periods of sacrifice (5 and 8 weeks post-surgery). The ACLT was used to induce osteoarthritis (OA) in the knees of the rats. LLLT started 2 weeks after the surgery and it was performed for 15 and 30 sessions, respectively using a 685-nm laser, at 10 and 50 J/cm 2 . Qualitative and semi-quantitative histologic, morphometric and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed. Results: Initial signs of tissue degradation could be observed 5 weeks post-ACLT, evidenced by the decrease of proteoglycan concentration and increase in cartilage thickness of the ICG. After 8 weeks post-surgery, analysis showed a progression of the degenerative processes in the ICG revealed by the increased cellularity and higher TNF-α, IL1-β and MMP-13 immunoexpression. LLLT was able to modulate some of the aspects relating to the degradative process, such as biomodulation of the number of chondrocyte proliferation, prevention of proteoglycan loss, and decrease of MMP-13 immunoexpression. Conclusion: This study showed that the 685-nm laser irradiation, especially at 10 J/cm 2 , prevented features related to the articular degenerative process in the knees of rats.

Case report

April 11, 2014

Treatment of basal cell carcinoma using a combination of pulsed dye laser and imiquimod – Case report and review

Georgios Gaitanis, Aris Ikiades, Ioannis D. Bassukas

Page range: 265-271

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a pulsed dye laser (PDL) during a 5-week course of 5% topical imiquimod application in a patient with a nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and to review the literature for data on PDL treatment of BCC. Methods: A 74-year-old patient with a 7-mm biopsy-proven BCC on his nose was treated with topical daily imiquimod for 2 weeks. Subsequently a laser session was performed with a flash lamp-pumped dye laser at 595 nm (Dermobeam 2000; Deka M.E.L.A., Florence, Italy) employing one pass with the following parameters: fluence 15 J/cm 2 , 3-ms pulses, spot diameter 5 mm with 10% overlap. PubMed was searched using the term conjunctions [“basal cell carcinoma” AND “pulsed dye laser”], [“basal cell carcinoma” AND “laser therapy”] and [“skin cancer” AND “pulsed dye laser”]. Frequency counts and percentages were employed to summarize identified BCC cases treated with PDL along different studies and Fisher’s exact test was used for the comparison of frequency distributions. Results: Topical imiquimod was continued for a further 3 weeks after the PDL session with a minimal increase in irritation. The tumor cleared and there has been no recurrence for 12 months. The literature search revealed a total of 7 small studies that included 120 tumors, the majority treated with a 595-nm device (104/120). Overall 81/120 (67.5%) treated tumors have been assessed as complete responders. No differences were recorded in relapse rates in association with the localization of the tumor, the histology (superficial vs. non-superficial), the wavelength of the device employed (595 vs. 585 nm), or the application of dynamic cooling. From the treatment parameters, only the use of multiple vs. single PDL sessions affected the outcome favorably ( p =0.0432; Fisher’s exact test). From the BCC parameters, tumor size was a negative predictor of response. Conclusion: The combination of PDL with imiquimod could be a promising approach for the treatment of BCC and should be further evaluated in future studies.

Preliminary research report

June 17, 2014

Monitoring blood volume fraction and oxygen saturation in port-wine stains during vascular targeted photodynamic therapy with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy: Results of a preliminary case study

Zhihai Qiu, Defu Chen, Ying Wang, Guangping Yao, Ying Gu, Buhong Li

Page range: 273-280

Abstract

Objective: Monitoring dynamic changes during vascular targeted photodynamic therapy (V-PDT) for port-wine stains (PWS) is crucial for achieving an optimal therapeutic outcome. The present investigation is a preliminary research study designed to quantify and monitor the vascular parameters, e.g., blood volume fraction ( BVF ) and oxygen saturation ( StO 2 ), of a PWS lesion by using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) before and during V-PDT. Material and methods: A portable DRS detection system was developed with an appropriate source-detector distance of 520 μm for fiber-optic probe. The diffuse reflectance spectra from 450 to 800 nm in specific regions of interest (ROIs) within a PWS lesion were recorded before and 3, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min during V-PDT. In order to extract the optical properties and vascular parameters of the PWS lesion, a modified well-known diffusion theory model with a correction factor for the vessel package effect was employed to analyze the steady state-diffuse reflectance spectra. Results: The corrected reflectance spectra of the PWS lesion can be fitted very well with the modified diffusion theory model. Differences in pretreatment values of BVF and StO 2 as well as changes in these parameters were observed between two ROIs during V-PDT. Conclusion: The ability of using DRS for quantifying and monitoring the BVF and StO 2 of a PWS lesion has been assessed. The preliminary data suggest that the clinical V-PDT efficiency is affected by the heterogeneity of the PWS lesion. DRS may have the potential to characterize the PWS lesion and to monitor V-PDT response.

Congress announcements

Publicly Available June 13, 2014

Congresses 2014/2015

Page range: 281-281

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About this journal

Photonics & Lasers in Medicine was published from 2012 till 2016. It was the joint official journal of the German Society for Laser Medicine e.V. (DGLM) and the Swiss Laser Surgery Association (SALC). Photonics & Lasers in Medicine was devoted to publishing original research contributions from all fields of technical and scientific research and clinical applications of lasers and photonics in medicine. Each issue provided a report on a specific current topic and an overview of the latest related research and developments. Additionally, Photonics & Lasers in Medicine had a magazine section with short communications, discussions on key topics, reports on meetings and seminars, and the latest news from international laser research centers, companies and related societies.

Volume 3 Issue 3 - Topic Issue: Photonics in personalized medicine / Issue Editors: Lothar Lilge and Brian C. Wilson

Issue of Photonics & Lasers in Medicine

Frontmatter

Photonics in the development of personalized medicine

Snapshots

Porphysome nanoparticles: Tailoring treatments with nature’s pigments

Abstract

Applications of Raman spectroscopy to the urinary bladder for cancer diagnostics

Abstract

A review of optical coherence tomography in breast cancer

Abstract

Diffuse optical tomography to monitor the photocoagulation front during interstitial photothermal therapy: Numerical simulations and measurements in tissue-simulating phantoms

Abstract

Effects of low-level laser therapy on cartilage repair in an experimental model of osteoarthritis

Abstract

Treatment of basal cell carcinoma using a combination of pulsed dye laser and imiquimod – Case report and review

Abstract

Monitoring blood volume fraction and oxygen saturation in port-wine stains during vascular targeted photodynamic therapy with diffuse reflectance spectroscopy: Results of a preliminary case study

Abstract

Congresses 2014/2015