University of Arizona Secures $2.7M to Advance Skin Cancer Imaging Technology

The University of Arizona (U of A) has received nearly $2.7 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop innovative optical technology aimed at improving the diagnosis of skin cancers. This funding is part of the initiative titled “Advancing Non-Invasive Optical Imaging Approaches for Biological Systems.” The research focuses on creating a non-invasive imaging method that could transform how physicians assess tumor invasion and monitor treatment responses for skin cancers, the most common malignancies globally.

Innovative Imaging Approach to Combat Skin Cancer

The U of A research team, led by Florian Willomitzer, an associate professor of optical sciences, plans to utilize a technique called synthetic wavelength imaging (SWI). This approach employs two distinct illumination wavelengths to computationally generate a single virtual, “synthetic” imaging wavelength. The advantage of this longer synthetic wavelength is its enhanced resistance to light scattering within biological tissues, allowing for clearer imaging at greater depths.

Current imaging methods, such as confocal microscopy and optical coherence tomography, primarily use optical light in the visible to near-infrared spectrum. While these techniques provide high contrast and resolution at shallow tissue depths, they struggle with scattering in deeper layers of tissue. In contrast, longer wavelength technologies like ultrasound can penetrate deeper but often lack the resolution necessary for specific cancer types.

Willomitzer emphasizes the importance of developing imaging tools that can accurately define tumor margins at diagnosis and effectively monitor treatment responses over time. The research aims to bridge the gap by enabling high-resolution, non-invasive imaging that can assess everything from individual cells to larger tissue structures.

Goals and Future Applications

The project aims to enhance the early detection of health issues and improve evaluations of cellular and tissue health. By leveraging advanced imaging techniques, the team hopes to facilitate non-invasive procedures that may eventually replace surgical interventions. The ability to capture rapid biological processes, such as muscle contractions and blood pulse, in real-time is also a significant goal.

“Synthetic wavelength imaging’s resilience to scattering in deep tissue while preserving high tissue contrast at the optical carrier wavelengths is a rare combination,” states Willomitzer. “By pairing this property with advanced computational evaluation algorithms, our approach aims to break free from the conventional resolution-depth-contrast tradeoff.”

The research team believes that by detecting invasive lesions earlier and defining tumor margins with greater precision, they can maximize the effectiveness of emerging therapeutic approaches. The anticipated advancements may also lead to the first clinical demonstrations of synthetic wavelength imaging specifically for assessing non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

This initiative represents a significant step forward in the quest to develop next-generation imaging technologies capable of providing clearer, deeper insights into the human body without invasive procedures. The findings from this research could profoundly impact the future of skin cancer diagnosis and treatment, potentially saving lives through earlier detection and more effective monitoring.