PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Optical mammography sheds new light on breast cancer

Tufts tests new technology that could aid in breast cancer diagnosis & treatment

Optical mammography sheds new light on breast cancer
2012-09-27
(Press-News.org) MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. – New optical imaging technology developed at Tufts University School of Engineering could give doctors new ways to both identify breast cancer and monitor individual patients' response to initial treatment of the disease. A five-year clinical study of the procedure, funded by a $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, is now underway at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.

The non-invasive technology uses near infrared (NIR) light to scan breast tissue, and then applies an algorithm to interpret that information. Differences in light absorption allow identification of water, fats, and oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor tissue, the primary structures in breast tissue.

"The consensus is that x-ray mammography is very good at detecting lesions but it's not as good at determining which suspicious lesions are really cancer," says Professor of Biomedical Engineering Sergio Fantini, Ph.D., who is leading the research effort. The Tufts NIR technique could complement standard mammography, particularly for women younger than 40 who may have dense breast tissue that tends to obscure detail in x-rays.

Because it does not use ionizing radiation, the NIR technique can be applied multiple times over a short period without risk of radiation exposure, Fantini notes. Another advantage of the technology is that, unlike other breast imaging methods, it can obtain functional real-time images of metabolic changes, such as levels of hemoglobin concentration and oxygenation.

"It's been reported that patients who respond to breast cancer chemotherapy show a decrease in hemoglobin and water concentration and an increase in lipid concentration at the cancer site," explains Fantini. "This suggests that NIR imaging can be valuable not only in diagnosing breast cancer but in monitoring individual response to therapies without requiring repeated x-rays. For example, it could help determine if a patient is responding to neoadjuvant chemotherapy administered to shrink a tumor before surgery."

Optical mammography is also more comfortable than traditional mammograms. The patient's breasts are only lightly compressed between two horizontal glass panels and then illuminated by NIR light. A specialized software program displays real-time images of the breast as the optical system scans back and forth. A light detector within the system displays the intensity of the NIR beam as it is transmitted through the breast.

By using an algorithm based on the optical information, the technology generates breast images using the intensity of the transmitted light. The images are displayed automatically and can be read soon after the procedure, as is the case with x-ray mammograms. The technology can be packaged into compact, portable and handheld devices.

Clinical Testing

In collaboration with Roger Graham, M.D., director of Tufts Medical Center's Breast Health Center, and Marc Homer, M.D., chief of mammography at Tufts Medical Center, Fantini and his team conducted "proof of concept" tests to see if their procedure could corroborate information gathered with x-rays on two patients who each had suspicious lesions in one of their breasts.

The optical imaging was successful in enabling the team to identify cancerous tissue. "The test results were compatible with what we found in the x-ray mammography," Graham explains. "It was also painless for the patients and eliminated radiation exposure."

The team also includes Eric Miller, Ph.D., professor and chair of electrical and computer engineering and Misha Kilmer, Ph.D., professor of mathematics within the School of Arts and Sciences.

The NIH-funded study will investigate healthy women, women with breast cancer and women with benign breast lesions in an effort to examine the effectiveness of optical mammography in detecting breast cancer and distinguishing between malignant and benign tumors. The study will also look at breast cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy in order to characterize the power of optical mammography to determine patient response at the beginning of therapeutic treatment.

INFORMATION:

Fantini and his colleagues have published numerous papers on optical mammography: http://ase.tufts.edu/biomedical/research/fantini/publications/opticalMammography.asp.

This research is listed under award number 5R01CA154774-02

About Tufts University School of Engineering

Located on Tufts' Medford/Somerville campus, the School of Engineering offers a rigorous engineering education in a unique environment that blends the intellectual and technological resources of a world-class research university with the strengths of a top-ranked liberal arts college. Close partnerships with Tufts' excellent undergraduate, graduate and professional schools, coupled with a long tradition of collaboration, provide a strong platform for interdisciplinary education and scholarship. The School of Engineering's mission is to educate engineers committed to the innovative and ethical application of science and technology in addressing the most pressing societal needs, to develop and nurture twenty-first century leadership qualities in its students, faculty, and alumni, and to create and disseminate transformational new knowledge and technologies that further the well-being and sustainability of society in such cross-cutting areas as human health, environmental sustainability, alternative energy, and the human-technology interface.

About Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children Tufts Medical Center is an exceptional, not-for-profit, 415-bed academic medical center that is home to both a full-service hospital for adults and Floating Hospital for Children. Conveniently located in downtown Boston, the Medical Center is the principal teaching hospital for Tufts University School of Medicine. Floating Hospital for Children is the full-service children's hospital of Tufts Medical Center and the principal pediatric teaching hospital of Tufts University School of Medicine. Tufts Medical Center is affiliated with seven community hospitals and with New England Quality Care Alliance, its community physicians' network.

[Attachments] See images for this press release:
Optical mammography sheds new light on breast cancer

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Moffitt Cancer Center researchers find possible key to regulation of ovarian cancer stem cells

2012-09-27
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have discovered that the micro ribonucleic acid miR-214 plays a critical role in regulating ovarian cancer stem cell properties. This knowledge, said the researchers, could pave the way for a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. The study appears in a recent issue of the The Journal of Biological Chemistry. According to the study's lead author, Jin Q. Cheng, Ph.D., M.D., senior member of the Molecular Oncology Department and Molecular Oncology and Drug Discovery Program at Moffitt, certain miRNAs can cause therapeutic resistance ...

Glenn Prestwich at University of Utah to Speak at Modern Drug Summit Oct 24-26, 2012 in Philadelphia

2012-09-27
Glenn D. Prestwich, Presidential Professor, Director of Therapeutic Biomaterials Center, and Special Presidential Assistant for Faculty Entrepreneurism of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Utah Will Give a Plenary Keynote Presentation on "Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine: From Bench to Business" at the 8th Modern Drug Discovery & Development Summit (October 24-26, 2012 in Philadelphia, PA) Dr. Glenn Prestwich will describe the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University of Utah as well as describe a case study for commercialization of a university ...

The Red Box of Frozen Yogurt: Industry CEOs Sweating Out the Rise of Robofusion?

2012-09-27
It's the kind of socially hip development that makes CEOs sweat. The kind of thing that one person mentions, then another, then another—and before the world knows it, an entire business model goes the way of the dinosaur while a rockstar replacement arises. Red Box did it in the movie rental business. Now Robofusion is doing it in the yogurt business, albeit coyly. "That's not something we can comment on at this time," said a high-ranking Robofusion employee on the condition of anonymity. "Red Box is an amazing product. We are flattered to be compared ...

Kelsey McBride PR Signs Author Paul Gillebaard

2012-09-27
Kelsey McBride, president of Kelsey McBride PR, officially announced today that Paul Gillebaard, author of Moon Hoax, signed on for her agency's public relations services. Charlie Duke, the 10th man on the moon, recently read Moon Hoax and said "I finally got around to reading Moon Hoax. It was a fantastic read. I could hardly put it down. Some twists and turns in the plot that I didn't expect. Thoroughly enjoyed it." In Moon Hoax, China claims the moon landings never happened and they have proof. Losing worldwide prestige is not an option for the United ...

Cedar Run Horse Park Prepares for Social Event of the Season

2012-09-27
The pace is set for another great adventure at Cedar Run Horse Park. More than 100 riders are expected at the 5th Annual Cedar Run Hunter Pace, the park's season finale scheduled for Saturday, September 29, and there's still time to be part of the action, says co-ordinator Elizabeth McCowan. "We'll be accepting registrations up to and including the day of the event," said McCowan, encouraging riders and spectators alike to come out for the ride. "This is the perfect way to end another spectacular season at the park." What makes the event so special ...

The Winner of the Web.com WNB Golf Classic Played a Graphite Design Tour AD Shaft in His Second Victory in Two Weeks

2012-09-27
Graphite Design, maker of some of the most widely played premium golf shafts on the PGA TOUR, announced today that the winner of the Web.com WNB Golf Classic played a Graphite Design Tour AD DI shaft in his driver. "The winner has been playing exceptionally well since turning pro earlier this summer," said Tak Yamada, President, Graphite Design, "This is his second victory in two weeks and we are pleased that he has chosen to play Graphite Design Tour AD shafts. We congratulate him on his victory." The winner came from five shots back, carding ...

Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Website Offers Patients Immediate Answers To Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Option Questions

2012-09-27
Multiple Sclerosis is a devastating disorder robbing millions of their health, wellness and ability to have a fulfilling life. In addition to the millions that are stricken in the prime of their lives, children, as well as older adults are now being diagnosed with MS. Real answers for how to treat this complex disease from the traditional medical community are still lacking. MS patients often hear from the traditional medical community that drug therapy is the only real option for treatment, and have even faced hostility from medical professionals when exploring other types ...

BookWhirl.com Launches its Publishing Service with 100% Royalties

2012-09-27
Their long wait is finally over. BookWhirl.com, one of the leading frontiers of the self-publishing industry, finally launches its first line-up of publishing services. After announcing big plans for 2012, the company is now set and ready to release 20 publishing packages. "BookWhirl.com Publishing is a milestone for the company. All our publishing packages consists only the best features and to top that, we offer 100% royalties. It's what our author client deserves," announced Don Harold, Marketing Director. The entire month of September will be very hectic ...

Polymet to Exhibit at FABTECH Las Vegas 2012

2012-09-27
Polymet Corporation, an industry leader in wire manufacturing for hardfacing, welding, and thermal spraying, will exhibit at the FABTECH trade show in Las Vegas, November 12-14, 2012. FABTECH is North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, and welding event, showcasing new developments in materials and equipment. The show is expected to have over 25,000 attendees and 1,100 exhibiting companies. Polymet is consistently an exhibiting member of the FABTECH event. After recently streamlining its industrial product line, Polymet is eager to utilize the show to market ...

Cool Vendor, XMPro Announces participation at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2012

2012-09-27
GARTNER SYMPOSIUM/ITxpo, FL., 26 September, 2012 - XMPro Inc. today announced their participation in the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2012 as a Business Process Management Marketplace sponsor. After their recent label as a Cool Vendor* for BPM in 2012, XMPro will get an opportunity to showcase their acknowledgement and display their work around Intelligent Business Operations, a much deliberated theme recently unveiled by Gartner. Following last year's urge for CIOs and senior IT executives to re-imagine, rethink and reconsider what IT means and how it can be applied to the ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Essential genome of malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi mapped

Ice streams move due to tiny ice quakes

Whale song has remarkable similarities to human speech in terms of efficiency

Uncovered: How mice override instinctive fear responses

A pathway that contributes to insulin resistance can be targeted, mouse study shows

Special Issue: The cryosphere

Scientists discover brain mechanism that helps overcome fear

Mantis shrimp clubs filter sound to mitigate damage

Large differences in water-seeking ability found in U.S. corn varieties

Whale song has structure similar to human language

Cracking the Burmese python code: New data zeroes in on game-changing strategies

Risk it or kick it? Study analyzes NFL coaches’ risk tolerance on fourth down

UC3M patents a new design for a soft robotic joint that is more adaptable and robust

Nutrition labels meant to promote healthy eating could discourage purchases

A new way to detect inflammation

Crohn's & Colitis Congress® spotlights key IBD research findings

Vanilla farmers search for a crop and conservation sweet spot

Global “sisterhood” seeks to understand what makes a healthy vaginal microbiome

Announcing the winners of the 5th annual Rising Black Scientists Awards

Food: Cracking the method for the ‘perfect’ boiled egg

Cannabis use disorder emergency department visits and hospitalizations and 5-year mortality

COVID-19 pandemic and rates of common ophthalmic procedures among Medicare beneficiaries

Updated drug information handout outdoes FDA’s version

Gemini North teams up with LOFAR to reveal largest radio jet ever seen in the early universe

Researchers discover a major driver of inflammatory pathology in autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases

Research in fruit flies pinpoints brain pathways involved in alcohol-induced insomnia

Cancer diagnoses and deaths are declining in Appalachia but remain significantly higher compared to other US regions

Why some heavy drinkers develop advanced liver disease, while others do not

OmicsFootPrint: Mayo Clinic’s AI tool offers a new way to visualize disease

New genetic mutation linked to drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer patient

[Press-News.org] Optical mammography sheds new light on breast cancer
Tufts tests new technology that could aid in breast cancer diagnosis & treatment