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As a result of pre-treatment with audio-digital tattooing “Audioactivity”... 
RAFT
A molecular optical marker for the eye of the surgeon
Thanks to infrared imaging of a tumour zone, the molecule-probe device developed by Jean-Luc Coll will enable the surgeon to perform a precise excision and thus avoid surgery which would be incapacitating for the patient.» Description and functionalities
- a molecule capable of recognising areas where tumoral angiogenesis is taking place and efficiently cutting out the tumours and their micrometastases- a near-infrared peroperative optical imaging system to reconstitute a precise image of the extent of the invaded zone during surgery.
» Technology
Combination of a bioconjugated molecule incorporating a fluorophore visible in the infrared, injected intravenously before surgery, and a near-infrared probe.» Performances
- Surgery assisted for the first time by non-invasive peroperative imaging.- Imaging visible under normal surgical lighting.
- Visualisation of submillimetric tumours.
» Laboratory
In vivo imaging platform – Albert Bonniot Institute - réf 061017_Coll_RAFT _Fiche_techno» Target
- Primary and metastatic tumours- Pulmonary, ENT, ovarian, colorectal and breast cancers, sarcomas, etc.
» Application area
- Oncology- Excision surgery assisted by molecular optical imaging
» Interview with Jean-Luc Coll
What is the motivation for your research work?We have been working for 7 years on the RAFT-RGD molecule, with the aim of vectorising it. The objective was to convey a drug tolung cancer in a targeted manner. We were working at that time on models of mice with pulmonary metastases but were unable to see the metastases. We were obliged to kill the mice. Did a mouse have tumours, and, if so, when we injected the molecule, was it capable of penetrating the tumour? This made it clear that imaging instruments were needed. Indeed, surgeons had already expressed this need. A fluorescent dye, replacing the drug, was attached to the molecule. We were then able to see that it was able to travel specifically to the tumour.
At the same time, camera technology and sensitivity were changing and there was an increasing number of miniaturised cameras operating in the infrared which could be used for imaging.
How could a company use your innovation?
The company will have to export the technology to other pathologies and other cancers, as well as improving the specificity of both the molecule and the instrument to adapt to various types of clinical situation. There are many enquiries for vascular microsurgery. Doctors are interested in being able to see in real time the flow of blood resuming in the vessels.
What is your working environment?
Our group comprises 22 people. The three main areas in which we work are proteomics, the mechanisms by which cancers resist treatment, and a third area linked to our project work on the optical imaging of cancers and problems of vectorising large molecules. The project was undertaken by a group composed of chemists (UMR-5250), physicists (CEA-LETI) and clinicians (CLB Lyon).
