SPIE Conference

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Experts assess the effectiveness of lasers in treating various cancers.
Posted On: April 19, 2018
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Conference attendee and postdoctoral fellow, Tomonari Kinoshita (pictured) works in the laboratories of Toronto General Hospital Research Institute Scientist Dr. Kazuhiro Yasufuku and Princess Margaret Cancer Center Senior Scientist Dr. Lothar Lilge, at University Health Network.

Conference: SPIE Photonics West, January 27-February 01, San Francisco, California, United States.

Conference Highlight: SPIE conference has three pivotal areas of focus within laser innovation: 1) biomedical research, 2) laser source engineering, and 3) photonic technology. Novel utility for innovations from clinical and nonclinical fields were also discussed.

Conference Summary: This conference was composed of three major conferences; BIOS, LASE, and OPTO. BIOS covered various topics that included biomedical optics, photonic therapeutics and diagnostics, and clinical imaging technologies such as biomedical spectroscopy and microscopy. LASE focused on topics relating to laser source engineering and manufacturing. OPTO covered research on optoelectronic materials and devices, photonic integration, displays and holography, nanotechnologies in photonics, semiconductor lasers and LEDs, and optical communications.

I presented during the BIOS photodynamic therapy (PDT) session. Surgical resection is the standard of care for patients with lung cancer as well as other types of cancers. However, some patients don’t undergo the operation due to comorbidities. PDT is an existing and promising alternative. A number of clinical studies are underway to compare the efficacy between surgical resection and PDT; these studies are focusing on comparing survival, tumor local control and rate of recurrence. Currently, photosensitizers for PDT carry the potential risk of skin phototoxicity. To address this concern, new photosensitizers have been developed. Some researchers presented their findings on the safety and feasibility of these novel photosensitizers using animal models. Also explored at the conference was the potential synergistic effect of PDT when combined with standard therapies, such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Recently, immunotherapy has been gaining popularity and is being used in patients with advanced stage lung cancer—and oncologists engaged in the treatment of lung cancer were very interested in this emerging PDT and immunotherapy combination therapy.