Scientists at Novosibirsk State University (NSU) are advancing medical technology with the creation of an innovative endoscopic system designed to revolutionize the diagnosis and destruction of cancer cells.
This groundbreaking development, spearheaded by NSU`s Laboratory of Nonlinear Optics of Waveguide Systems, recently received a significant boost by winning a prestigious mega-grant from the Russian Science Foundation. The project aims to develop a unified, advanced endoscopic device that integrates «optical biopsy» techniques with low-temperature plasma therapy.
According to Denis Kharenko, a senior researcher at the laboratory, the primary goal of this initiative is to create a single system capable of both diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal tract diseases, including various forms of cancer, in real time.
Kharenko explained that the device will combine two crucial functions: diagnostics enhanced by machine learning and therapeutic intervention using laser and plasma. Currently, accurate cancer diagnosis often requires invasive tissue sampling. However, specialists anticipate that this new optical endoscopic approach will enable *in vivo* examination, allowing for immediate therapeutic action without the need for separate procedures.
The novel endoscopic system is engineered to precisely target tumor cells using controlled laser radiation and low-temperature plasma. This method induces apoptosis—a process of programmed cell death where cancer cells self-destruct and are subsequently absorbed by other cells, minimizing adverse effects. Critically, this technology is designed to inflict minimal damage to healthy surrounding tissues, marking a substantial leap forward in «optical biopsy» and endoscopic therapy.
A key objective for the researchers is to significantly optimize the entire process of cancer diagnosis and treatment. They foresee that the incorporation of multiphoton fluorescence and Raman scattering will further expand the device`s diagnostic capabilities, enabling the microscopic detection of specific biomarkers associated with different stages of the disease.
«We are confident that our experimental setup, with its precise control over low-temperature plasma, will allow for highly localized treatment of affected organs and tissues, thereby establishing a strong foundation for the technology`s eventual application in clinical practice,» Kharenko stated.
He added that NSU`s long-term vision is to develop a flexible and highly effective visualization and therapy system that could ultimately become the gold standard for the early diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal and oncological conditions.
