Scientists at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, led by Dr. Ralph DaCosta, have been experimenting with different molecular imaging modalities (fluorescence and photoacoustic imaging) to probe and target the biomarker HER2, an indicator of one of the more aggressive types of breast cancer.

The team is encouraged by the results and hopeful that the new techniques can improve early diagnosis of breast cancer and also guide surgical removal of tumours to minimize the need for unnecessary surgery.

Dr. DaCosta explains, “Despite significant progress in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, the need remains for better approaches and tools that will have less of a negative effect on a woman’s body.  While the regulatory approval pathways for clinical use of new imaging agents can be lengthy, if successful, this approach could in time help women with breast cancer live longer, healthier lives.

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