(386g) Design Requirements for Real Time Intraoperative Imaging for Cancer Resection

The application of molecular imaging agents in surgical oncology is an emerging field of research that has the potential to improve surgical outcomes for the treatment of cancer. Fluorescently tagged agents provide the surgeon with real time feedback in the operating room to assess the extent of resection. This multidisciplinary field lies at the intersection of three major areas: imaging instrumentation, targeting agent design, and the surgical considerations and objectives. These areas are interrelated; for example, the surgical objective (e.g. debulking, clean margins, or complete resection) may dictate the type of imaging (e.g. macroscopic versus microscopic) and targeting agents necessary to achieve these goals. Mathematical modeling using reaction diffusion equations for imaging agent pharmacokinetics and light scattering for tumor visualization provide insight into the requirements for successful implementation in the operating room. Imaging results using orthotopic mouse models illustrate these relationships and provide model validation. This information can be used to facilitate the design of equipment and imaging agents for translating these results into the clinic.