Volume 13, Issue 10 e202000180
FULL ARTICLE

Polarization-dependent second-harmonic generation for collagen-based differentiation of breast cancer samples

Vassilis Tsafas

Vassilis Tsafas

Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology, Crete, Greece

Department of Physics, University of Crete, Crete, Greece

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Evangelia Gavgiotaki

Evangelia Gavgiotaki

Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology, Crete, Greece

Medical School, University of Crete, Crete, Greece

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Maria Tzardi

Maria Tzardi

Medical School, University of Crete, Crete, Greece

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Effrosyni Tsafa

Effrosyni Tsafa

Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology, Crete, Greece

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Costas Fotakis

Costas Fotakis

Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology, Crete, Greece

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Irene Athanassakis

Corresponding Author

Irene Athanassakis

Biology Department, University of Crete, Crete, Greece

Correspondence

Prof Irene Athanassakis, Department of Biology, University of Crete, University Campus, Heraklion 70013, Crete, Greece.

Email: [email protected]

Dr George Filippidis, Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology, Heraklion 71110, Crete, Greece.

Email: [email protected]

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George Filippidis

Corresponding Author

George Filippidis

Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology, Crete, Greece

Correspondence

Prof Irene Athanassakis, Department of Biology, University of Crete, University Campus, Heraklion 70013, Crete, Greece.

Email: [email protected]

Dr George Filippidis, Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology, Heraklion 71110, Crete, Greece.

Email: [email protected]

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First published: 09 July 2020
Citations: 33

Abstract

Nonlinear optical imaging techniques have been widely used to reveal biological structures for accurate diagnosis at the cellular as well as the tissue level. In the present study, polarization-dependent second-harmonic generation (PSHG) was used to determine collagen orientation in breast cancer biopsy tissues (grades 0, I, II and III). The obtained data were processed using fast Fourier transform (FFT) analysis, while second-harmonic generation (SHG) anisotropy and the “ratio parameter” values were also calculated. Such measurements were shown to be able to distinguish collagen structure modifications in different cancer grades tested. The analysis presented herein suggests that PSHG imaging could provide a quantitative evaluation of the tumor state and the distinction of malignant from benign breast tissues. The obtained results also allowed the development of a biophysical model, which can explain the aforementioned differentiations and is in agreement with the simulations relating the SHG anisotropy values with the mechanical tension applied to the collagen during cancer progression. The current approach could be a step forward for the development of new, nondestructive, label free optical diagnostic tools for cancer reducing the need of recalls and unnecessary biopsies, while potentially improving cancer detection rates.image

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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