RAPID System for Early Detection of Head and Neck Cancer in Low-Resource Settings

由于吸烟和人类乳头瘤病毒感染等危险因素的高发，头部和 宫颈癌对低收入、缺乏服务的社区的个人来说是一个特别的威胁。因为有限 获得早期癌症检测的筛查工具为了减少死亡率和发病率，它们正在减少 长期生存的机会。这些地区的癌症死亡率和发病率不会有所下降 开发实用和易于获得的诊断方法和仪器。 为了解决这些局限性，我们建议开发并验证一种纳米光子学增强的分子分析。 基于超亮表面增强拉曼散射(SERS)的纳米级复合检测探头 鳞状细胞癌的生物标志物；这种癌症约占所有头颈部癌症的85%。 为了进行分析验证，我们的检测方法将在临床样本上进行测试，例如新鲜组织和刷子。 细胞学活组织检查。刷检细胞学是一种非侵入性的活组织检查，不需要手术或 专科护理。通过将“棒上实验室”技术与超亮SERS纳米机器人相结合，该检测概念 提供独特的快速“样本到答案”方法。我们的分子分析技术旨在 集成在便携式设备中，称为使用等离子体进行识别和诊断的拉曼分析 (快速)。我们设想这项快速技术将部署为一种低成本的诊断工具，能够 注意头颈部癌症的识别，有可能降低这种疾病的发病率和死亡率 在服务不足的人群中，由于癌症的早期发现。 该项目的目标如下：(1)开发基于纳米等离子体的多路传输纳米粒子探针 头颈部癌分子生物标志物的检测；(2)将分子分析方法整合到 简单易用、自动化和便携的医疗点设备；(3)评估和验证分子分析 在组织样本和刷检细胞学活检中进行诊断的方法；以及(4)为 在服务不足的社区环境中的护理点实施。 这种快速方法对癌症研究和诊断具有广泛而重要的意义， 特别是在服务不足的人群中。对于出现可疑头部和颈部的患者 对于病变，我们的方法可以提供快速诊断，允许在远程发病之前进行早期治疗 转移瘤。这项新技术还将允许直接检测mrna生物标记物用于癌症研究。 发展和进步。与基于实验室的组织病理学诊断相比，需要专门的 QRT-PCR的设备和训练有素的操作员，在偏远地区往往需要几周甚至几个月的时间， 在需要的时候，快速方法可以在不到一小时的时间内完成。最终，这一点的整合 将分子方法转化为便携式设备将使临床翻译更快、更准确 在护理地点设置和全球卫生应用程序中进行诊断。

Due to the high prevalence of risk factors such as smoking and human papillomavirus infection, head and neck cancers are a particular threat to individuals in low-income, underserved communities. Because of limited access to screening tools for early cancer detection to reduce mortality and morbidity, they have diminishing chances of long-term survival. Cancer mortality and morbidity in these areas will not see a reduction without the development of practical and easily accessible diagnostic methods and instrumentation. To address these limitations, we propose to develop and validate a nanophotonics-enhanced molecular assay based on ultrabright surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) “nanorattle” probes for multiplexed detection of biomarkers of squamous cell carcinoma; this cancer accounts for about 85% of all head and neck cancers. For analytical validation, our assay method will be tested on clinical samples, such as fresh tissue and brush cytology biopsies. Brush cytology is a form of non-invasive biopsy performed without the need of surgical or specialized care. By combining “lab-on-a-stick” technology with ultrabright SERS nanorattles, the assay concept provides a unique rapid ‘sample-to-answer’ approach. Our molecular analysis technology is designed to be integrated in a portable device, referred to as Raman Assay using Plasmonics for Identification and Diagnosis (RAPID). We envision the RAPID technology to be deployed as a low-cost diagnostic tool capable of point-of- care head and neck cancer identification, with the potential to reduce the morbidity and mortality of this disease in underserved populations due to early detection of cancer. The project’s aims are the following: (1) Develop nanoplasmonic-based nanorattle probes for multiplex detection of head and neck cancer molecular biomarkers; (2) Integrate the molecular analysis method into a simple-to-use, automated and portable point-of-care device; (3) Evaluate and validate the molecular analysis method for diagnosis in tissue samples and brush cytology biopsies; and (4) Deploy the technology for implementation at the point-of-care in an underserved community setting. The implications of the RAPID method are vast and significant for cancer research as well as diagnostics, especially in the setting of underserved populations. For patients presenting with a suspicious head and neck lesion, our method can provide a rapid diagnosis, allowing for earlier treatment before the onset of distant metastases. This novel technology will also allow direct mRNA biomarker detection for research on cancer development and progression. Compared to laboratory-based histopathologic diagnosis, requiring specialized equipment and trained operators for qRT-PCR and often taking weeks or even months in remote regions, the RAPID method can be completed in less than an hour at the point of need. Ultimately, the integration of this molecular method into a portable device will allow for clinical translation to render a faster and more accurate diagnosis at point-of-care settings and for global health applications.