For evaluating and optimization of therapy efficacy, there is a strong need for imaging modalities that can provide (bio)markers fast, frequently and non-invasively. By combining multiple techniques, optical imaging can simultaneously quantify functional contrasts such as tissue blood flow and oxygenation without the need for contrast agent administration, which is particularly attractive during screening and intraoperative assessment in real time. Additionally, fluorescence imaging can play significant role for visualization of tumors by providing high contrast and sensitivity with real-time, noncontact, and large field-ofview capabilities that are suitable for intraoperative imaging.

In the first part of the talk, recent work on monitoring and predicting the tumor response to photodynamic therapy (PDT) at both preclinical and clinical settings will be presented. It will be shown in a preclinical study that real-time blood flow measurements can provide a useful feedback for PDT optimization. Then the results from the measurements of oral cancer patients at the operating room will be presented and it will be shown that multiparameter analysis of drug fluorescence concentration, oxygen and blood flow is superior in predicting the response. In the second part of the talk, I will present a unique platform that involves a porphyrin-phospholipid (PoP)-liposome and a spatial frequency domain based imaging system, which enable on demand release of doxorubicin (DOX) from liposomes using near infrared light irradiation to improve DOX bioavailability. The feasibility of noninvasive quantitative mapping of DOX distributions in target areas will also be demonstrated.


Tuesday, March 1, 2016, 12:00. Seminar Room

Hosted by Prof. Turgut Durduran