Innovative imaging method from Dresden reveals cancer cells distinctly

Revolutionary Imaging Technology for Cancer Surgery Wins Helmholtz High Impact Award

A groundbreaking imaging technology, developed by researchers at the National Center for Tumor Diseases Dresden (NCT/UCC), has been honoured with the Helmholtz High Impact Award 2024. This technology, designed to aid surgeons in recognising tumours more precisely during operations, has the potential to revolutionise surgery in the coming years.

The NCT/UCC, a joint institution that includes the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Medical Faculty of TU Dresden, the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), offers ideal conditions for bringing the technology into application quickly.

The technology makes use of short-wave infrared light and special fluorescent dyes to visualise tissues and structures such as tumours or blood vessels. The contrast agents employed in the technology illuminate the edge of the tumour, facilitating the removal of cancerous tissue while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

The research group led by oncologist Ellen Sletten (UCLA) and biochemist Oliver Bruns (NCT/UCC Dresden) has received support from the Helmholtz Association to quickly bring their innovative imaging method for cancer research and treatment into application. Clinical studies in collaboration with Stanford University in California are currently being conducted to document the benefits of the imaging systems for patients.

Esther Troost, Dean of the Medical Faculty of TU Dresden, is optimistic about the future of this research. She believes that this technology will revolutionise surgery in the coming years. The imaging method has already been honoured with the Helmholtz High Impact Award 2024 for its potential to improve cancer therapy.

The High Impact Award 2024 was announced on YouTube, recognising the significant impact this technology could have on the field of cancer treatment and surgery. The award serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the research team and the institutions that support them.

As the technology continues to be developed and refined, it is hoped that it will provide a more precise and less invasive approach to cancer surgery, ultimately improving outcomes for patients. The future of cancer treatment looks increasingly bright with the development of innovative technologies such as this.