Dr. Samuel Achilefu, a Nigerian-born scientist, a
professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering
has won the St. Louis Award for 2014 for creating
cancer-visualizing glasses.
Dr Achilefu and his team developed a wearable
night vision-like goggles that surgeons could use in
cancer removal surgery so as to see the cancer
cells while operating as they basically have to
operate in the dark. According to Washington
University in St. Louis, Achilefu’s ‘cancer goggles’
are designed to make it easier for surgeons to
distinguish malignant cells from healthy cells,
helping to ensure that no stray tumour cells are left
behind during surgery to remove a cancerous
tumour. The glasses could reduce the need for
additional surgical procedures and the subsequent
stress on patients, as well as time and expense.
The system uses custom video technology, a head-
mounted display and a targeted molecular display
that attaches itself to cancer cells, giving them a
glow when viewed through the eye gear.
Bloomberg BusinessWeek quoted Achilefu as saying
“I thought, what if we create something that let you
see things that aren’t available to the ordinary
human eye.”
“Our efforts start with two words: ‘What if?’. These
words may sound simple, but they embody the
belief that each person has the potential to make a
difference, if only he or she can take the time to
understand the problem.”
According to Bloomberg, the researchers’
technology requires two steps: First, surgeons inject
a tiny quantity of an infrared fluorescent marker into
the patient’s bloodstream. The peptides contained
in the marker enable it to locate cancer cells and
buries itself inside.
The tracer flows through a patient’s body and clears
from non-cancerous tissue, this goes on for about
about four hours then the operation would begin.
The doctor can inspect tumours under an infrared
light that reacts with the dye, causing cancer cells
to glow from within when the goggle is worn.
The goggles have been used on humans for the
first time this June by surgeons at the Washington
University School of Medicine.
Four patients suffering from breast cancer and over
two dozen patients with melanoma or liver cancer
have been operated on using the goggles since they
were developed. Many cancer patients had have to
go back for second operations every year because
of the inability to see the microscopic extent of the
tumours.
The award is given to a resident of the St. Louis
area whose achievements reflect positively on the
community.
