In vivo molecular imaging of cervical neoplasia using acetic acid as biomarker

In this paper, a molecular imaging method employing acetic acid dilute solution as a biomarker is described. An interpretation of the biophysical processes that are involved in the biomarker-tissue interaction and are determining the in vivo measured dynamic scattering characteristics is presented. On the basis of this interpretation, a compartmental model of the epithelium is developed for predicting the epithelial transport phenomena that are expected to be correlated with the dynamic characteristics of the backscattered light. The model predictions have been compared with the experimental data obtained from patients with cervical neoplasia of different grade, with the aid of a specially developed imaging system. Comparisons confirmed the validity of the interpretation of the phenomenon, and particularly, the fact that dynamic scattering characteristics are largely determined by the intracellular proton concentration kinetics. In addition, the correlation of the latter with both structural and functional alterations, associated with cervical neoplasia development, has been predicted theoretically and confirmed experimentally. The established correlation enables the derivation of quantitative indices expressing disease-specific microstructural and functional alterations, from the in vivo measured dynamic optical characteristics. This highlights the potential of the developed imaging method and technology for the noninvasive diagnosis, guided therapeutics, and screening of cervical neoplasia.