Biomedical Raman Spectroscopy and Raman Nanotheranostics – where is the added value?

In fifteen words or less, explain the significance of this contribution (Novel Aspect).: New results on in vivo head and neck Raman diagnostics for lymphoma detection + Raman-nanotheranostics.

Abstract Text:

Raman spectroscopy has been shown to be a powerful tool for probing molecular phenotypes and pathology specific molecular changes in human tissues, cells and fluids. The real power of such techniques comes from the non-destructive, real-time analysis, coupled with the fact that biochemical changes measured, precede other changes leading to more advanced disease. Numerous groups including our own are translating the approach to a range of key clinical applications, with particular focus in point of care testing. We have developed a range of in vivo probes and pioneered deep Raman techniques relying on the migration of photons in materials to recover the deeper Raman signals.

 

Beyond the measurement of native Raman signals, we previously introduced the concept of surface enhanced spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SESORS) able to read out the NP signals from depths of >7 cm. Raman nanotheranostics (RaNT) extends on this concept by combining light and functionalised gold nanoparticles to deliver detection, photo thermal therapy and read out of response (https://rant-medicine.com/). This utilises carefully designed surface enhanced Raman nanoconstructs (NPs) to provide bright signals from specific reporter labels attached to the surface. These can be used to target lesions with anti-bodies or aptamers and their locations identified using deep Raman readout techniques.

In this presentation, I will outline progress to date in translating native Raman techniques from the bench to the bedside as well as work on developing new nanomedicine approaches. These include developing appropriate nanoparticle constructs to deliver both the required Raman signals AND the photothermal conversion efficiency, to enable such an approach to be delivered at depth in tissues. I will demonstrate a SERS based anti-Stokes thermometer to probe local cell / tissue temperatures during PTT of cells and finally an in vivo demonstration of the approach.