Towards enhanced cancer therapy; Leveraging bioresorbable optical fibers for improved treatment outcomes

Abstract

Bioresorbable photonic implants are emerging as potential material choice for interstitial theranostic and monitoring applications. They gradually dissolve within the physiological environment in a clinically relevant period, eliminating the need for extraction surgeries. In the present study, we tested the suitability of in-house fabricated bioresorbable optical fibres based on calcium phosphate (CaP) glass for diffuse correlation spectroscopic (DCS) and diffuse fluorescence tomographic (DFT) applications. The results represent the potential of bioresorbable fibers for the monitoring of interstitial microvascular blood flow and the spatial distribution of fluorescent photosensitizer drugs that are administered prior to therapies. Together or separate, the continuous monitoring of these parameters can have significant implications in planning, optimizing and in predicting or monitoring the outcomes in interstitial photodynamic therapy (PDT).