EPJ Web of Conferences (Jan 2024)

Raman and Polarization-sensitive digital holographic imaging for rapid and label-free prostate cancer diagnosis

  • Khadem Hossein,
  • Ferrara Maria Antonietta,
  • Mangini Maria,
  • Luini Alberto,
  • Coppola Giuseppe,
  • De Luca Anna Chiara

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202430904020
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 309
p. 04020

Abstract

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In this study, we report the results of two non-invasive optical methods, Raman microscopy (RM) and polarization-sensitive digital holographic imaging (PSDHI), for distinguishing prostate cancer cells from healthy ones. RM reveals cancer cells metabolize glucose faster, storing it as fatty acids and cholesteryl esters in lipid droplets (LDs). On the other hand, PSDHI shows significant morphological changes in LDs in glucose-incubated cancer cells, including number, volume, and refractive index. High birefringence in cancer LDs under perpendicular polarizations was observed, enabling fast discrimination with over 90% accuracy. PSDHI results align closely with Raman microscopy, suggesting its potential as a promising, high-speed technique for cancer screening purposes.