Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
PCTE Group of Institutes
Ludhiana
B. Pharmacy (4th Year)
INSTRUMENTAL METHODS OF ANALYSIS (BP-701T)
PRESENTATION SYNOPSIS
TOPIC: Fourier Transform Infrared Imaging for Cancer
Diagnostics: Applications in Biomedical Research
NAME: Azaad Kumar
ROLL NO.: 2122952
E-MAIL ADDRESS: azaadkumarpctebpharma2021a@gmail.com
SUBMITTED TO: Ms. Jashanpreet Kaur
Assistant Professor
CONTENTS -
●Introduction
●Basics of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Imaging
●Applications of FTIR Imaging in Cancer Diagnostics and
Biomedical research
●Case Studies and Examples
●Future Prospects in Biomedical Research
●References
⮚ INTRODUCTION -
❖ Cancer diagnostics is crucial in oncology, aiming to accurately
detect and stage cancer to guide treatment. Traditional methods
include:
● Histopathology: Microscopic tissue examination, the gold standard
for diagnosis.
● Imaging Techniques: X-rays, MRI, and CT scans visualize tumors
non-invasively.
● Biomarker Testing: Detects cancer-specific proteins or genes in
bodily fluids.
● Molecular Diagnostics: Identifies genetic mutations through PCR
and next-generation sequencing.
❖ These methods, while effective, have limitations such as
invasiveness, extensive preparation, and occasional lack of
specificity.
❖ Importance of Advanced Imaging Techniques
● Advanced imaging techniques enhance diagnostic accuracy and
efficiency by offering:
● Non-Invasiveness: Reducing the need for biopsies, minimizing
patient discomfort.
● High Resolution: Detecting tumors at early stages with detailed
imaging.
● Functional and Molecular Insights: Providing metabolic and
molecular data for better understanding tumor behavior.
● Real-Time Monitoring: Allowing continuous assessment of tumor
progression and treatment response.
❖ Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Imaging is a cutting-edge tool
that analyzes biochemical changes in tissues without dyes or labels,
offering early detection and detailed cancer characterization. The
following sections will delve into the principles, applications, and
future potential of FTIR imaging in cancer diagnostics.
⮚ Basics of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Imaging
❖ Principle of FTIR Spectroscopy
● Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy is a technique
that measures how a material absorbs infrared light. Molecules
absorb specific frequencies of infrared light, causing vibrations in
their chemical bonds. By analyzing the absorbed wavelengths,
FTIR spectroscopy identifies the molecular composition of a
sample. The data is transformed into a spectrum that serves as a
molecular "fingerprint" of the material.
❖ How FTIR Imaging Works
● FTIR imaging combines the principles of infrared spectroscopy
with spatial resolution, allowing for the creation of detailed images
based on the chemical composition of a sample. Here’s how it
works:
● Sample Illumination: The sample is illuminated with a broad
spectrum of infrared light.
● Data Collection: A detector captures the light that is either
absorbed or transmitted by the sample. This is done across multiple
points, creating a detailed map of the sample's chemical
composition.
● Fourier Transform: The raw data collected is processed using a
mathematical technique called Fourier Transform, which converts
the complex data into a readable spectrum for each pixel of the
image.
● Image Construction: Each pixel in the image corresponds to a
specific location on the sample and contains spectral information.
The result is a chemically-specific image that reveals the
distribution of different molecules across the sample.
❖ Advantages of FTIR over Traditional Imaging Techniques
● FTIR imaging offers several advantages over traditional imaging
techniques:
● Chemical Specificity: FTIR provides detailed chemical
information, enabling the identification of specific molecules in a
sample without the need for dyes or labels.
● Non-Destructive: The technique is non-destructive, meaning the
sample remains intact after analysis, which is crucial for precious
or rare samples.
● Wide Applicability: FTIR imaging can be applied to a variety of
samples, including biological tissues, making it highly versatile in
biomedical research.
● Spatial and Molecular Insight: It combines spatial resolution
with molecular analysis, allowing researchers to see not only where
molecules are located but also their exact chemical makeup.
● Early Detection: FTIR can detect subtle biochemical changes in
tissues, potentially identifying cancer at earlier stages than
traditional imaging methods.
⮚ Applications of FTIR Imaging in Cancer Diagnostics –
❖ FTIR imaging has a range of applications in cancer diagnostics,
offering precise molecular insights that enhance traditional
diagnostic methods. Here are some key applications:
● Differentiation Between Cancerous and Non-Cancerous Tissues
● Identification of Cancer Subtypes
● Determining Tumor Margins
● Monitoring Treatment Efficacy
● Detection of Metastasis
● Personalized Medicine
● Biomarker Discovery
● Histopathology Augmentation
❖Applications of FTIR imaging in biomedical research:
●Cellular and Tissue Analysis
●Disease Mechanism Studies
●Drug Development and Screening
●Biomarker Discovery
●Cancer Research
●Neurodegenerative Disease Research
●Tissue Engineering
●Microbial Analysis
⮚ Case Studies and Examples
❖ Breast Cancer Diagnostics
● Application: FTIR imaging has been used to differentiate
between benign and malignant breast tissues, as well as to
identify specific subtypes of breast cancer based on their unique
molecular signatures.
❖ Prostate Cancer Detection
● Application: FTIR imaging has demonstrated effectiveness in
distinguishing between healthy prostate tissue, benign prostatic
hyperplasia, and prostate cancer, aiding in more accurate
diagnoses.
❖ Colon Cancer
●Application: Studies have utilized FTIR imaging to identify and
classify different stages of colon cancer, helping in the early
detection and treatment planning for patients.
❖ Lung Cancer Analysis
● Application: FTIR imaging has been applied to lung tissue
samples to differentiate between various types of lung cancer
and to monitor biochemical changes in response to treatment.
❖ Brain Tumor Characterization
●Application: FTIR imaging has been used to assess brain tumors,
distinguishing between different grades of gliomas and helping
to define tumor margins more accurately during surgery.
❖ Ovarian Cancer Screening
● Application: FTIR imaging has been explored as a tool for early
detection of ovarian cancer, identifying specific spectral patterns
that are associated with malignant ovarian tissues.
❖ Skin Cancer Evaluation
●Application: FTIR imaging has been applied to skin biopsies to
distinguish between melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers,
as well as to assess the effectiveness of treatments.
❖ Bladder Cancer Detection
●Application: FTIR imaging has shown promise in detecting
bladder cancer by analyzing urine samples for specific molecular
changes associated with the disease.
⮚ Technological Developments -
● Advances in FTIR Hardware
● Integration with Other Imaging Techniques
● Enhanced Resolution and Sensitivity
● Development of Portable FTIR Devices
⮚ Challenges and Limitations –
● Sensitivity and Specificity Concerns
● Data Interpretation Complexity
● High Cost and Accessibility Issues
● Sample Preparation and handling
⮚ Future Prospects in Biomedical Research
●Early Cancer Detection
●Personalized Medicine
●Improved Diagnostic Accuracy
●Integration with Artificial Intelligence
●Expansion to New Disease Areas
⮚ REFERENCES –
❖ A. Kumari, J. Kaur, S. Bhattacharyy (2018), Application of Fourier
Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Tool for Early Cancer
Detection, 10(3),139-148
❖ D. McNaughton, B.R. Wood (2007), Applications of Fourier-
Transform Infrared Imaging in Cancer Research 74(3), 133–159
❖ K.Y. Su, W.L. Lee, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy as a
Cancer Screening and Diagnostic Tool: A Review and Prospects
74(3), 133–159
