Convergence of light, devices, and molecules to detect and treat cancer

Abstract:
Surgeons traditionally rely on vision and touch to distinguish cancerous from healthy tissue, which risks incomplete tumor removal. To enhance precision, we developed Cancer Viewing Glasses (CVGs) that provide real-time intraoperative visualization of tumors and sentinel lymph nodes without disrupting the surgical workflow. CVGs detect near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) from tumor-targeted molecular probes and project both NIRF and visible light to a head-mounted display, enabling direct access to the surgical field under normal lighting conditions. In both mouse models and cancer patients, CVGs enabled real-time image guidance for complete tumor resection, with ongoing clinical studies demonstrating improved surgical throughput and accuracy.

Bio:
Dr. Samuel Achilefu is the inaugural Chair and Professor of the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, USA. He also holds the Lyda Hill Distinguished University Chair and is a Professor of Radiology and the Simons Cancer Center. He is an international leader in optical and multimodal imaging, image-guided cancer surgery, portable imaging devices, and nanotechnology. His innovative research and more than 70 U.S. patents have significantly contributed to laboratory and clinical medicine. Dr. Achilefu is a member of the National Academies of Engineering and Medicine. He is also a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, AAAS, AIMBE, and many other professional societies. He has received over 20 national and international awards, including the Briton Chance Award.