Biophotonics in Cancer Treatment Overview

Biophotonics in Cancer Treatment

• Biophotonics utilizes beams of light for cancer detection and treatment.
• The method offers high sensitivity for early cancer detection.
• It minimizes side effects compared to conventional radiation therapy, due to precise targeting of cancerous tissue.

University of Toronto and Research Hub

• The University of Toronto plays a significant role in biophotonics research.

Importance of Research

• Scientific research and technological advancements are critical for understanding cell biology.
• Canadian researchers are at the forefront of developing improved methods for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Specialized Cells

• The cell theory states that all cells originate from pre-existing cells.
• Every organism, including humans and trees, starts as a single fertilized egg or cell.
• Cells in complex organisms exhibit diversity in structure and function, performing specialized tasks.
• Specialized cells have unique physical and chemical properties that allow them to excel in specific functions.
• Cell specialization involves changes in both form and function, leading to significant differences in appearance among specialized cells.
• Animal cells demonstrate a wide range of specializations, both internally and externally.

Muscle Cells

• Muscle cells contain numerous mitochondria to produce the energy required for contraction and movement.

Stem Cells

• Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can develop into various cell types.
• Stem cells stored at birth from the umbilical cord have the potential to address future medical needs, though preserving them is complex.
• Environmental contamination or harmful signals can disrupt normal development.

Multicellular Organisms

• Organisms can reproduce asexually, creating offspring with the same DNA as the parent.
• Organisms can also reproduce sexually, combining DNA from two parents.
• Gametes, or sex cells, contain half the DNA of normal cells.
• Gamete formation occurs via meiosis which is a special type of cell division.
• Sexual reproduction results in offspring inheriting characteristics from both parents.

Growth as a Characteristic of Life

• Organisms grow primarily through increasing the number of cells.
• Cells need energy sources, nutrients, and water to grow.
• Cells need to remove waste products like carbon dioxide in order to function properly.

Why Does the Cell Number Increase as Organisms Grow?

• Growth requires an increase in cell number due to the complexity of organisms.
• Nutrients and waste can't move in and out of a large cell efficiently.
• The DNA in the nucleus becomes overloaded with demands.
• Cell division ensures each new cell receives a copy of DNA, preventing overload.

Chemical Movement in Cells

• Chemicals necessary for cell growth and activity enter through the cell membrane.
• Chemicals move via diffusion from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.
• Diffusion helps distribute vital substances throughout the cell.

Concentration

• Concentration is the amount of solute (substance) in a given volume of solution.
• Understanding concentration is essential for understanding diffusion.

Genetic Material

• DNA exists as long, thin, invisible strands.
• Before cell division, DNA strands are duplicated to create two identical strands.
• Additional organelles are formed during this preparation phase.

Cell Division

• Cell division occurs in two main stages: mitosis (nucleus division) and cytokinesis (cytoplasm division).
• The result is two genetically identical cells called daughter cells.

Phases of Mitosis

• Mitosis involves four phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
• Cells transition through these phases gradually.

Prophase

• Prophase is the beginning of mitosis after interphase.
• Long strands of DNA condense into visible chromosomes during this phase.
• Each chromosome contains two identical strands (sister chromatids) connected at a region called the centromere.
• The nuclear membrane breaks down during prophase to allow access to the chromosomes for division.

Metaphase

• During metaphase, chromosomes line up along the middle of the cell.
• It is easily recognizable due to the distinct arrangement of the chromosomes.
• All chromosomes must be properly aligned for mitosis to proceed to the next phase.

Anaphase

• The centromere splits during anaphase, separating the sister chromatids.
• The separated sister chromatids are now called daughter chromosomes.
• Daughter chromosomes move to opposite sides of the cell.

Telophase

• Telophase is the last phase of mitosis.
• Daughter chromosomes stretch out, become thinner, and are no longer visible.

Cell Growth Rates and Cancer

• Cancer cells divide uncontrollably, ignoring signals to stop growing.
• Checkpoints may fail to detect problems or eliminate malfunctioning cells.

Tumor Formation

• Benign tumors form a mass of cells that may remain together and not seriously affect surrounding tissues.
• They are not cancerous, but they can grow large enough to crowd nearby cells and disrupt their function.
• Malignant tumors interfere with neighboring cells and tissues, impacting functions.
• They are considered cancerous and can destroy surrounding tissues.

Metastasis

• Cancer cells can break away from the primary tumor and spread to other parts of the body.
• This is known as a secondary tumor.
• Metastasis is a major factor contributing to the danger of cancer.

Causes of Cancer

• Each time a cell divides, its DNA is accurately duplicated.
• Mutations are random changes in DNA.
• Mutations can lead to cell death or allow the cell to survive, grow, and divide.
• Cancerous cells can proliferate as a result of mutations.
• Cancer cells multiply until nutrients are depleted.

Carcinogens

• Carcinogens are environmental factors that can lead to cancer.
• Common carcinogens include: tobacco smoke, radiation, certain viruses, chemicals in plastics, and organic solvents.
• Not everyone exposed to carcinogens will develop cancer.

Hereditary Cancers

• Some cancers have a hereditary component, meaning DNA passed from parents can increase an individuals risk of developing cancer such as some forms of breast and colon cancer.

Lifestyle Choices

• A healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and less fatty meat can help lower the risk of cancer.
• Certain "superfoods" contain protective substances beneficial for cancer prevention.
• Consuming whole foods over supplements is more effective for cancer prevention.
• Higher body fat can increase the risk of certain cancers.

Diagnosing Cancer

• Tumors may cause swelling, discomfort, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss.
• Early cancer detection significantly improves treatment success.
• Diagnostic tests include blood tests and imaging techniques.

Imaging Technologies

• Endoscopy is used for colon cancer screening.
• X-rays are used for imaging bones, lungs, and breast tissue.
• Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of soft tissues.
• CT scans use multiple X-rays and a computer to create detailed images.
• MRIs use radio waves and a magnetic field for highly detailed images and 3D models.

Examining Cells

• Cell samples are examined under a microscope to confirm cancer, often following abnormal test results from other diagnostic techniques.
• Blood samples can be used to identify blood cancers like leukemia.
• A tumor biopsy involves surgically removing tumor cells for examination.
• If the cells are non-cancerous, the tumor is classified as benign.
• Cancer cells often differ in shape and structure from normal cells.
• Cancer cells, with their irregular shape and inconsistent size, are identifiable by trained professionals.

Next Steps After Diagnosis

• Doctors determine the origin of the cancer, tumor size and growth rate, and whether it has spread.
• This information guides treatment options and helps predict outcomes.

Treatments of Cancer

• The goals of cancer treatment are to slow down tumor growth or destroy as many cancer cells as possible.
• Main cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and biophotonics.
• Treatment plans involve one or a combination of these treatment methods based on the type and stage of cancer.

Cancer Treatment Team

• Specialists involved in a cancer treatment plan include surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and oncology nurses.

Surgery

• Surgery involves physically removing cancerous tissue.
• It is often preferred when the tumor is accessible in location and can be clearly separated from surrounding tissues.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy uses drugs to treat cancer by slowing or stopping cancer cell division and spread as well as killing cancer cells throughout the body.
• Chemotherapy drugs are administered via injection or orally.
• Common side effects include hair loss, nausea, and fatigue.
• Chemotherapy is often used as an initial treatment step to shrink tumors for easier surgical removal or to prepare for radiation.
• Chemotherapy drugs circulate throughout the body, targeting both large and small tumors.

Radiation

• Radiation therapy targets cancer cells, which are more susceptible to damage from ionizing radiation due to their rapid division.