Characterization and detection of colorectal cancer by multidimensional autofluorescence lifetime imaging: a preliminary study on surgical specimens

Autofluorescence lifetime measurements allow label-free differentiation of normal and diseased tissues. This study utilized mesoscopic autofluorescence imaging on colorectal cancer (CRC) surgical specimens from 73 patients, focusing on differentiating normal, adenomatous and cancerous tissues. Collagen and FAD achieved the highest discriminative power, while NADH revealed metabolic variability within tumors. Additionally, we studied the effect of radiation on rectal cancer autofluorescence signatures, aiming to develop a method for quantifying treatment response. Our findings demonstrate the sensitivity of autofluorescence lifetime measurements to radiation-induced changes, offering potential improvements in rectal cancer management. This research contributes to CRC assessment and advances personalized treatment approaches.