Innovative Imaging Approach from Dresden Reveals Cancer Cells

The city of Dresden, Germany, is at the forefront of a medical breakthrough that could revolutionize cancer surgery in the coming years. A new imaging technology, developed by researchers at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), and the National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC), is enabling surgeons to recognize tumors more precisely during surgery, preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

This groundbreaking technology allows for the detection of malignant cancer cells in deeper tissue layers, including tumor remnants and individual cancer cells at tumor borders and in lymph nodes. The research, which is also supported by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), has been honoured with the Helmholtz High Impact Award 2024 for its potential to save lives in cancer research and tumor treatment.

The NCT/UCC is a joint institution focused on the development of latest technologies to improve cancer therapy. It collaborates with HZDR and the Technische Universität Dresden (TUD) on advanced imaging technologies, including those based on short-wavelength infrared light, to improve tumor visualization. These institutions work together within projects such as SENSCUBATOR, which fosters sensor innovations and their application in oncology imaging.

The technology, developed by Oliver Bruns (NCT/UCC Dresden) and Ellen Sletten (UCLA), uses short-wavelength infrared light and special fluorescent dyes for detection. Clinical studies are currently running in collaboration with the California-based Stanford University to document the benefit of the imaging systems for patients.

Esther Troost, Dean of the Medical Faculty of TU Dresden, believes that this technology could have a significant impact on surgery in the near future. She stated, "This technology has the potential to revolutionize surgery, offering a more precise and less invasive approach to cancer treatment."

The High Impact Award 2024, honouring the new imaging technology, can be found on Youtube for more information. As this technology continues to be refined and tested, it offers hope for a future where cancer surgery is more accurate, less invasive, and ultimately, more successful in saving lives.