Collaboration Targets Skin Cancer with Hybrid Imaging Probe

The aim of a new collaboration in the United Kingdom is to develop and assess a hybrid-imaging probe that combines the benefits of an innovative multibeam optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe with a visual camera. The OCT and visual images from the hybrid probe will be combined to provide enhanced diagnostic information to clinicians.

The collaboration, between researchers at King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Center (London, UK) and Michelson Diagnostics, Ltd. (Kent, UK), the developer of the technology, is targeting skin cancer with the new type of imaging probe. The GBP 98,500 research project has received 75% funding through a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Invention for Innovation ‘i4i' grant awarded to the partners, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS [National Health Service] Foundation Trust (London, UK), King's College London (UK), and Michelson Diagnostics.

Project leader Dr. Andrew Coleman, consultant medical physicist at Guy's and St. Thomas,' explained the benefits of the hybrid probe, "When interpreting OCT images of sub-surface tissue, it really helps if you know exactly where on the lesion you are scanning, and the hybrid probe will enable this."

The annual incidence of skin cancer in the United Kingdom is estimated to be about 100,000 cases per year, representing 20% of all cancers. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical, particularly in cases of malignant melanoma where tumor growth is frequently rapid.

Dr. Katie Lacy, consultant dermatologist at Guy's and St Thomas', who is leading the clinical validation of the hybrid probe, said, "The accurate and early diagnosis of malignant skin lesions is vital to ensure the best possible outcome for patients. This new instrument will allow dermatologists to view not only the surface appearance of skin cancer but, for the first time, to also examine the structures under the skin in the clinic. This will hopefully lead to improved diagnostic accuracy and better treatment."

The surgical evaluation will be headed by Dr. Raj Mallipeddi, consultant dermatological surgeon at Guy's and St Thomas‘. He remarked, "This probe should help identify exactly where cancerous tissue is growing and spreading, making it easier to see the borders of skin cancers when surgical removal is the only option."

Michelson Diagnostics has delivered a cutting edge VivoSight OCT skin scanner to Guy's Hospital for the project, and the lesions of 93 patients have already been scanned and are being analyzed. The scanner will next be customized to incorporate the hybrid probe, and then more patients will be able to benefit from these enhanced scanning techniques.

"I am very excited about this project," said Carole Letherby, a patient representative on the project team and someone living with skin cancer. "If successful, it will have a major impact for patients, with less need for painful biopsies, faster treatment decisions, and fewer repeat appointments for further surgery."

Related Links:
King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Center
Michelson Diagnostics
Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
King's College London