Diffusion Reflection, a novel non-invasive nanophotonic method for early in vivo detection of oral cancer

Objectives: To develop a methodology for early in-vivo detection of oral cancer by using DR optical method in a well-known rat model of oral carcinogenesis.
Methods: DR measurements of C-gold-nanorods injected systemically were recorded from the surface of rat tongue where OSCC has been induced by the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-N-oxide (4NQO). 26 Wistar-derived male rats were used, divided into experimental (15) and control (11) groups. C-gold-nanorods were injected systemically to the tail vein. DR measurements were taken following washout time of 96 hours interval. The results of the DR measurements were compared with the histologic diagnosis.
Results: Dysplastic lesions have been found from week 4 and OSCC was detected after week 22. Following intra-venous injection of C-gold-nanorods, significantly high DR values were recorded in all rats in the area corresponding to carcinoma compare with the unaffected tip of the tongue and with the control healthy rats. As the degree of the dysplasia increased higher DR values were measured.
Conclusions: The presented nanophotonic optical detection method provides a highly sensitive and simple tool for cancer detection and accurately detect tumor margins, hence, improving the outcome of oral cancer.