Interstitial Doppler optical coherence tomography (IS-DOCT) and real-time monitoring of microvascular changes during photodynamic therapy (PDT)

Using a micro-lens and fiber optics inside a needle, the world’s first IS-DOCT imaging of normal and tumour-bearing preclinical models was performed by Dr. Yang’s group during PDT, which is an emerging treatment for multiple conditions that uses photosensitizers. Because PDT is an oxygen-dependent treatment, vascular changes have profound implications in treatment dosimetry and overall effectiveness. Experiments using preclinical models of prostate cancer demonstrated that IS-DOCT could detect microvascular changes in real time during PDT. The results of these studies were published in Cancer Research. This project is being carried out within the context of a PDT clinical trial of human prostate cancer with a vascular-targeting photosensitizer.