Raman spectroscopic imaging of tissues for possible clinical translation

Massimiliano ROCCHIA, Thermo Fisher Scientific

To understand the biological mechanisms driving malignant transformation and, consequently, to identify diagnostic, prognostic and predictive makers, we strongly need for a different methods of analysis for neoplastic tissue. Ideally, a new method should be performed as an in situ analysis encompassing the assessment of multiple cellular constituents and allowing paired morphological and biochemical investigation. Raman spectroscopy is among a few available methods fulfilling the above requirements. It is increasingly applied to differentiate between normal and cancer tissues, being able to identify specific tumour expression molecules and molecular species involved in tumour-genesis and progression.

 In this study, Raman spectroscopy has been used as an additional technique to support the histopathological evaluation in order to increase the reliability of the diagnosis of thyroid tissue and to contribute to clinical decision-making. Our results demonstrate the ability of Raman spectroscopy to discriminate between neoplastic and healthy thyrocytes, on the basis of their biochemical fingerprint. We investigated the Raman spectra of both normal thyroid tissue and papillary thyroid carcinoma tissue, as well as the transition zone between them. Using this new method rather than current molecular protocols we aim to obtain an unconventional approach that may allow optimal tumour treatment and control. The new data represent an important improvement in the understanding the carcinogenesis and its leading events.  

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