A colorful approach towards developing new nano-based imaging contrast agents for improved cancer detection.

ABSTRACT: Providing physicians with new imaging agents to help detect cancer with better sensitivity and specificity has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. Development of new imaging agents could offer improved early cancer detection during routine screening or help surgeons identify tumor margins for surgical resection. In this study, we evaluate the optical properties of a colorful class of dyes and pigments that humans routinely encounter. The pigments are often used in tattoo inks and the dyes are FDA approved for the coloring of foods, drugs, and cosmetics. We characterized their absorption, fluorescence and Raman scattering properties in the hopes of identifying a new panel of dyes that offer exceptional imaging contrast. We found that some of these coloring agents, coine

SUBMITTER: Salinas HR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7855687 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature