Trimira manuscript on autofluorescent imaging for cancer accepted

HOUSTON, Texas--The growing recognition of the value of autofluorescence in detecting oral cancer is the subject of a manuscript recently accepted for publication in the open-access, peer-reviewed Head & Neck Oncology Journal.

Head & Neck Oncology, the official journal of the Head & Neck Optical Diagnostics Society, encompasses aspects of clinical practice, basic and translational research on the aetiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, assessment, management, follow-up, and prognosis of patients with head and neck tumors.

The journal focuses on evidence-based and hypothesis-driven research, and aims to provide researchers and clinicians in the field with practical updates at the edge of translational research.

"Incidental Detection of An Occult Oral Malignancy With Autofluorescence Imaging" is the title of the article.

Article authors are Nadarajah Vigneswaran of the Department of Diagnostic Sciences, the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, Sheila Koh of the Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials, the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, and Dr. Ann M. Gillenwater, professor at a major cancer center in Houston.

The authors, working with researchers at Rice University, pioneered the clinical work in the initial development of a "multispectral" optical system that uses fluorescence and reflectance lightwaves to detect cancer.

"Light-induced tissue fluorescence visualization technologies are being used increasingly as noninvasive diagnostic aids," the paper stated.

This illustrates the role played by autofluorescence tissue-imaging in diagnosing cancer. In the case cited, a tumor that appeared clinically innocuous and otherwise would not have been biopsied was flagged as meriting further scrutiny.

This followed a screening that used a multispectral oral cancer detection device from Trimira, Autofluorescence indicated malignancy, and a biopsy to confirm the presence of a metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. Trimira's oral cancer screening tool is Identafi 3000 ultra, a multispectral oral cancer detection device.

Created expressly for intraoral use, Trimira's cordless Identafi 3000 ultra is small, lightweight, portable, and ergonomically shaped. It incorporates a nickel-plated design that improves durability and delivers a smoother feel. The handheld is portable, and can be readily moved from room to room and patient to patient.

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