Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) reveals spatial-metabolic changes in 3D breast cancer spheroids.

Cancer cells are mechanically sensitive to physical properties of the microenvironment, which can affect downstream signaling to promote malignancy, in part through the modulation of metabolic pathways. Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) can be used to measure the fluorescence lifetime of endogenous fluorophores, such as the metabolic co-factors NAD(P)H and FAD, in live samples. We used multiphoton FLIM to investigate the changes in cellular metabolism of 3D breast spheroids derived from MCF-10A and MD-MB-231 cell lines embedded in collagen with varying densities (1 vs.

Spatial frequency domain imaging for monitoring immune-mediated chemotherapy treatment response and resistance in a murine breast cancer model.

Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging (SFDI) can provide longitudinal, label-free, and widefield hemodynamic and scattering measurements of murine tumors in vivo. Our previous work has shown that the reduced scattering coefficient (μ') at 800 nm, as well as the wavelength dependence of scattering, both have prognostic value in tracking apoptosis and proliferation during treatment with anti-cancer therapies. However, there is limited work in validating these optical biomarkers in clinically relevant tumor models that manifest specific treatment resistance mechanisms that mimic the clinical setting.

Optical scattering as an early marker of apoptosis during chemotherapy and antiangiogenic therapy in murine models of prostate and breast cancer.

Monitoring of the in vivo tumor state to track therapeutic response in real time may help to evaluate new drug candidates, maximize treatment efficacy, and reduce the burden of overtreatment. Current preclinical tumor imaging methods have largely focused on anatomic imaging (e.g.

Shortwave-infrared meso-patterned imaging enables label-free mapping of tissue water and lipid content.

Water and lipids are key participants in many biological processes, but there are few non-invasive methods that provide quantification of these components in vivo, and none that can isolate and quantify lipids in the blood. Here we develop a new imaging modality termed shortwave infrared meso-patterned imaging (SWIR-MPI) to provide label-free, non-contact, spatial mapping of water and lipid concentrations in tissue. The method utilizes patterned hyperspectral illumination to target chromophore absorption bands in the 900-1,300 nm wavelength range.

Characterization of bony anatomic regions in pediatric and adult healthy volunteers using diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging.

Significance: Diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging (DOSI) measures quantitative functional and molecular information in thick tissue in a noninvasive manner using near-infrared light. DOSI may be useful for diagnosis and prognosis of bone pathologies including osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma, but little is currently known about DOSI-derived parameters in bony anatomic locations where this disease occurs.

Aim: Our goal is to quantify the optical characteristics and chromophore content of bony anatomic locations of healthy volunteers and assess differences due to anatomic region, age, sex, ethnicity, race, and body fat.

Diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging reveals distinct early breast tumor hemodynamic responses to metronomic and maximum tolerated dose regimens.

Background: Breast cancer patients with early-stage disease are increasingly administered neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) to downstage their tumors prior to surgery. In this setting, approximately 31% of patients fail to respond to therapy. This demonstrates the need for techniques capable of providing personalized feedback about treatment response at the earliest stages of therapy to identify patients likely to benefit from changing treatment.

Diffuse and nonlinear imaging of multiscale vascular parameters for in vivo monitoring of preclinical mammary tumors.

Diffuse optical imaging (DOI) techniques provide a wide-field or macro assessment of the functional tumor state and have shown substantial promise for monitoring treatment efficacy in cancer. Conversely, intravital microscopy provides a high-resolution view of the tumor state and has played a key role in characterizing treatment response in the preclinical setting. There has been little prior work in investigating how the macro and micro spatial scales can be combined to develop a more comprehensive and translational view of treatment response.