Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) Assistant Professor Ehsanul Hoque Apu, B.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D., helped author a research paper that was published in the "ACS Applied Bio Materials journal" (2 Year Impact Factor 2023: 4.6).
Dr. Ehsanul Hoque Apu, an Assistant Professor at Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM), is a contributing author for a research paper on an innovative method for early colorectal cancer (CRC) detection. CRC is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and early detection is crucial for effective treatment. However, current methods are often inadequate for rapidly detecting early-stage disease, revealing flat lesions, and accurately delineating tumor margins with molecular specificity.
The project focuses on fluorescence endoscopy to generate wide field-of-view images that enhance the detection of CRC lesions and margins. By increasing signal intensity and improving signal-to-noise ratios, this technique can significantly boost the speed and sensitivity of cancer detection.
The work was led by Prof. Taeho Kim’s research group at Michigan State University. Prof. Kim’s lab developed targeted near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNs). The group formulated the size of FSNs to 50–200 nm and conjugated their surface with an antibody to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) to prepare CEA-FSNs. Results showed that CEA-FSNs bound more effectively to HT29 cells than to HCT116 cells, and the smaller CEA-FSNs were internalized into HT29 cells more efficiently than their larger counterparts. In vivo experiments further validated these findings. After intravenous administration of CEA-FSNs, a significantly greater signal was observed in CEA-positive HT29 tumors compared to CEA-negative HCT116 tumors in xenografted mice.
For more information or to read the full research publication click here.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community that provides educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. Lincoln Memorial University-College of Dental Medicine (LMU-CDM) is home to the Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) and Dental Hygiene (DH) programs. It is located in Knoxville at the newly renovated LMU Tower, for more information about LMU-CDM programs contact, CollegeofDentalMedicine@LMUnet.edu.
