Nanocytology Test to Evaluate Skin Cancer in High Risk Patients
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Skin Cancer, Cancer, Dermatology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Dermatology / Plastic Surgery, Oncology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 89 |
| Updated: | 2/7/2015 |
| Start Date: | July 2013 |
| End Date: | June 2014 |
| Contact: | Maria Estela Martinez-Escala, MD |
| Email: | emartine@nmff.org |
| Phone: | 312-695-0075 |
Nanocytology Evaluation of Epidermal Cells to Assess Risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Field Cancerization in High Risk Patients
The purpose of this study is to correlate pathological features from specimens in order to
determine if this new molecular diagnostic technique can be used to detect risk of skin
cancer.
determine if this new molecular diagnostic technique can be used to detect risk of skin
cancer.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the culmination of a multistep carcinogenesis process that is
preceded by early stages referred as squamous dysplasia and actinic keratosis. Squamous
dysplasia (SD) also known as "field effect" is clinically characterized by xerosis (dry,
scaly skin), lentigines and uneven pigmentation. While morphologically skin biopsies and
cytology samples show only minimal changes, at the molecular level it is known that SD is
characterized by small clone keratinocytes carrying mutations of the P53 gene. An optical
technology called Partial Wave Spectroscopy (PWS) probes nanoscale structures in the order
of tens to a few hundred nanometers. PWS is a light back-scattering techniques that uses
light reflected off of a tissue sample. The measured biomarker is sensitive to the cytosolic
and nucleic architecture within the cell and quantifies the nanoscale disorder, which
conventional light microscopy fails to appreciate. PWS has allowed to identify various
grades of structural disorder at the nanoscale level of colonic and pulmonary premalignant
cell samples. Using PWS we aim to study the spectrum of cutaneous SD from patients at high
risk for SCC development. Since squamous dysplasia is difficult to assess with routine
histology and cytopathology and a grading system for squamous dysplasia by routine histology
or cytology is not available, we propose to assess the value of PWS as a new and more
sensitive imaging technique. By identifying the degree of SD at the molecular level, we may
be able to intervene with close surveillance, early treatment and chemoprevention strategies
to achieve lower morbidity by means of fewer and smaller skin cancers.
preceded by early stages referred as squamous dysplasia and actinic keratosis. Squamous
dysplasia (SD) also known as "field effect" is clinically characterized by xerosis (dry,
scaly skin), lentigines and uneven pigmentation. While morphologically skin biopsies and
cytology samples show only minimal changes, at the molecular level it is known that SD is
characterized by small clone keratinocytes carrying mutations of the P53 gene. An optical
technology called Partial Wave Spectroscopy (PWS) probes nanoscale structures in the order
of tens to a few hundred nanometers. PWS is a light back-scattering techniques that uses
light reflected off of a tissue sample. The measured biomarker is sensitive to the cytosolic
and nucleic architecture within the cell and quantifies the nanoscale disorder, which
conventional light microscopy fails to appreciate. PWS has allowed to identify various
grades of structural disorder at the nanoscale level of colonic and pulmonary premalignant
cell samples. Using PWS we aim to study the spectrum of cutaneous SD from patients at high
risk for SCC development. Since squamous dysplasia is difficult to assess with routine
histology and cytopathology and a grading system for squamous dysplasia by routine histology
or cytology is not available, we propose to assess the value of PWS as a new and more
sensitive imaging technique. By identifying the degree of SD at the molecular level, we may
be able to intervene with close surveillance, early treatment and chemoprevention strategies
to achieve lower morbidity by means of fewer and smaller skin cancers.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 to 89 years old, male and female, Fitzpatrick skin phototype I - III
- Photodamage skin grades 3 - 4 (global assessment)
- Medical history of precancerous lesions and or known history of SCC or healthy
volunteers
Exclusion Criteria:
- Subjects under 18 years old
- Pregnant women or lactating mothers
- Treatment with systemic chemotherapy within 4 weeks period before consent
- Known HIV+ patients (self-reported)
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Northwestern Memorial Hospital Northwestern Memorial is an academic medical center hospital where the patient comes...
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