Raman spectroscopy for medulloblastoma

PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to use Raman spectroscopy to analyze the biochemical composition of medulloblastoma and normal tissues from the safety margin of the CNS and to find specific Raman biomarkers capable of differentiating between tumorous and normal tissues. METHODS: The tissue samples consisted of medulloblastoma (grade IV) (n = 11). The tissues from the negative margins were used as normal controls. Raman images were generated by a confocal Raman microscope—WITec alpha 300 RSA. RESULTS: Raman vibrational signatures can predict which tissue has tumorous biochemistry and can identify medulloblastoma. The Raman technique makes use of the fact that tumors contain large amounts of protein and far less lipids (fatty compounds), while healthy tissue is rich in both. CONCLUSION: The ability of Raman spectroscopy and imaging to detect medulloblastoma tumors fills the niche in diagnostics. These powerful analytical techniques are capable of monitoring tissue morphology and biochemistry. Our results demonstrate that RS can be used to discriminate between normal and medulloblastoma tissues.