Optical spectroscopy to characterize the functional changes of head and neck tumors under radiation stresses

Radiotherapy, a primary or adjuvant treatment for head and neck cancer, often fails due to tumor hypoxia, which impedes DNA damage. While reoxygenation post-radiotherapy is traditionally seen as a success, aggressive tumors can develop resistance, switching metabolism between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation to survive radiation stress. Current radiotherapy assessment methods like PET and MRI are costly and time-consuming. This study proposes using a portable fiber-based optical spectroscopy platform to monitor metabolic indicators (glucose uptake, mitochondrial function) and vascular parameters (oxygen saturation, total hemoglobin content) in orthotopic tongue tumors before and after radiation, offering a low-cost, point-of-care assessment tool.