Label-free high-throughput photoacoustic tomography of suspected circulating melanoma tumor cells in patients in vivo.

ABSTRACT:

Significance

Detection and characterization of circulating tumor cells (CTCs), a key determinant of metastasis, are critical for determining risk of disease progression, understanding metastatic pathways, and facilitating early clinical intervention.

Aim

We aim to demonstrate label-free imaging of suspected melanoma CTCs.

Approach

We use a linear-array-based photoacoustic tomography system (LA-PAT) to detect melanoma CTCs, quantify their contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs), and measure their flow velocities in most of the superficial veins in humans.

Results

With LA-PAT, we successfully imaged suspected melanoma CTCs in patients in vivo, with a CNR >9. CTCs were detected in 3 of 16 patients with stage III or IV melanoma. Among the three CTC-positive patients, two h

SUBMITTER: Hai P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7069252 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature