Development of a high-throughput wide-field imaging robotic system for assessing margin status based on cancer biomarkers derived from Raman spectroscopy with preliminary validation in lumpectomy specimens from breast-conserving surgery

Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, with 60% of Canadian patients opting for breast-conserving surgery. Current pathology assessments can take days, revealing positive margins in 5-57% of cases, necessitating additional surgeries. This project aims to develop an imaging technology to predict the margin status of lumpectomy specimens within 20 minutes in the operating room (OR), assisting surgeons in determining the need for further tissue excision and potentially reducing reoperation rates. Our group previously developed a wide-field imaging system achieving more than 90% accuracy in distinguishing cancerous and normal breast tissue from sliced lumpectomy specimens. This new robotic system integrates a motorized stage and probe holder for 3-directional scanning and imaging of whole lumpectomy specimens. Initial steps involve a proof-of-principle study using biological phantoms that mimic breast cancer tissue characteristics. We will then present the first in-human data acquired in the OR on lumpectomy specimens and compare the predictions with pathological findings.