Characterization of Mechanical Tissue Properties in Patients With Pancreatic, Liver, or Colon Cancer

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To determine if our optical polarimeter device is able to measure tissue stiffness across
several human cancer types ex vivo.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. To describe the inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity of tissue stiffness. II. To determine
if the measurements made by the optical polarimeter device are non-destructive.

TERTIARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Perform multi-variable cross-correlation statistical analysis to determine relationships
between: tissue stiffness characteristics, molecular level signatures, and cellular level
properties, and if numbers permit, response to treatment.

OUTLINE:

Patients undergo fresh tumor tissue collection at the time of surgery. The fresh tumor tissue
samples are analyzed for tissue stiffness measurements using an optical polarimeter device
and cell viability using an automated cell counter.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Scheduled for surgery to remove primary tumors in the pancreas, liver or colon and
have not undergone any prior treatment

- Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

- Pregnant women will not be consented

- Patients that are unable to consent for surgery

- Primary liver tumors with cirrhosis will be excluded from this study