Hyperspectral imaging for skin cancer and blood disorders diagnosis

Hyperspectral imaging is a novel technology for acquiring an image at a large number of wavelengths, thus allowing the study of spectral and spatial details of a sample under analysis. This technology has emerged as a promising imaging modality to be used as a diagnostic tool in several medical applications where spectral information is relevant. In this paper, we outline our most recent achievements in this field. Firstly, hyperspectral imaging systems developed to improve non-invasive diagnosis of skin cancer, consisting of digital silicon and InGaAs cameras and light emitting diodes, are described. Secondly, we present our last advances using hyperspectral technology together with confocal microscopy to improve the diagnosis of blood diseases, in particular, hemoglobinopathies such as thalassemia and cell membrane diseases such as hereditary spherocytosis. Finally, new insights on these topics are discussed.This project has been funded by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) (PID2020-112527RB-I00 / AEI / 10.13039/501100011033). L R-B thanks the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for the PhD (FPI) grant she has received.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Membrane protein detection and morphological analysis of red blood cells in hereditary spherocytosis by confocal laser scanning microscopy

In hereditary spherocytosis (HS), genetic mutations in the cell membrane and cytoskeleton proteins cause structural defects in red blood cells (RBCs). As a result, cells are rigid and misshapen, usually with a characteristic spherical form (spherocytes), too stiff to circulate through microcirculation regions, so they are prone to undergo hemolysis and phagocytosis by splenic macrophages. Mild to severe anemia arises in HS, and other derived symptoms like splenomegaly, jaundice, and cholelithiasis. Although abnormally shaped RBCs can be identified under conventional light microscopy, HS diagnosis relies on several clinical factors and sometimes on the results of complex molecular testing. It is specially challenging when other causes of anemia coexist or after recent blood transfusions. We propose two different approaches to characterize RBCs in HS: (i) an immunofluorescence assay targeting protein band 3, which is affected in most HS cases and (ii) a three-dimensional morphology assay, with living cells, staining the membrane with fluorescent dyes. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) was used to carry out both assays, and in order to complement the latter, a software was developed for the automated detection of spherocytes in blood samples. CLSM allowed the precise and unambiguous assessment of cell shape and protein expression.This publication is part of the project PID2020-112527RBI00, funded by CIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033. Laura Rey-Barroso thanks the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for the PhD (FPI) grant she has received (DPI2017-89414-R). The current study has been funded by the Spanish National Agency of Investigation (AEI).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Venous thromboembolism in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia under chemotherapy treatment. Risk factors and usefulness of thromboprophylaxis. Results of LAL-SEHOP-PETHEMA-2013.

Symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) is diagnosed in 3%-14% of patients during pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy. There are well-known risk factors, but the role of others as inherited thrombophilia is still controversial. Prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) has been described, but its use is not globally accepted. A retrospective multicentric study in ALL patients 1-18 years old following SEHOP-PETHEMA-2013 treatment guideline was performed to evaluate VTE rate, anticoagulant treatment, outcome, risk factors, and safety and usefulness of LMWH administration as primary thromboprophylaxis in children with inherited thrombophilia. A total of 652 patients were included in the study. VTE incidence was 8.7%. Most of the cases occurred during induction therapy associated with central venous catheter. Univariant analysis showed that family history of thrombosis, presence of mediastinal mass, high-risk treatment group, and inherited thrombophilia were statistically significant risk factors. LMWH administration seemed to decrease VTE rate in patients with inherited thrombophilia and those with T-cell ALL phenotype. Most of the VTE cases occurred in patients without inherited thrombophilia, but when it is present, the VTE risk is higher. LMWH administration was useful to decrease VTE in these patients