Development of tools for imaging and deep evaluation of oral cancer using a two-photon excitation microscopy

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K16417
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 50020:Tumor diagnostics and therapeutics-related
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: OGATA Kinuko 長崎大学, 病院(歯学系), 助教 (60748672)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 口腔癌 / 深部評価

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The goal of this research is to develop a tool for visualizing and deeply evaluating the progression of early stage oral cancer. We applied intravital imaging techniques for oral cancer samples. As a preliminary study, the samples of lymph node of migrated from oral cancer were cleared using CUBIC technique, and three-dimensional evaluation was performed using a fluorescence microscope. Now, we are optimizing the condition of cleared samples. We will make use of these results to develop real-time imaging techniques in the future.

Free Research Field

外科系歯学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

癌の治療において『診断』は患者の予後と治療に大きく影響するものである。現在多くのモダリティーが開発され診断精度は高まってきているが、早期口腔癌においては視診・触診に委ねることが多いのが現状である。本研究では早期口腔癌の描出と深部評価を目的とし、切除組織を用いた先行研究を行った。今後生体組織に応用できれば口腔癌の早期発見や早期治療、手術範囲の決定に有用な情報を得ることができ、社会的意義は大いにあると考える。