Collagen, a major component of the extracellular matrix, plays a crucial role in tumour development.

During the development of tumours (“tumorigenesis”), collagen fibres become linearised and densely deposited, hindering immune cell infiltration and promoting tumour metastasis.

However, quantifying these collagen changes during melanoma progression has been challenging.

In-vivo imaging of collagen

As reported in Biophotonics Discovery, researchers from the Morgridge Institute for Research and University of Wisconsin – Madison recently addressed this challenge by using quantitative imaging to visualise collagen in preclinical mouse melanoma models during immunotherapy.

In their study, animals received a combination of curative radiation and immunotherapy; quantifying collagen morphology at both the image and single-fibre levels obtained insights into collagen remodelling over time.

Sensitive biomarkers: Single-fibre collagen features

In immunotherapy-treated mice, collagen fibres exhibited a healthier phenotype. These fibres were shorter, wider, and curlier, with modestly higher density.

The study found that single-fibre collagen features, calculated using CT-FIRE software, were more sensitive to treatment-induced changes than bulk collagen features.

These single-fibre characteristics could serve as valuable biomarkers for assessing immunotherapy response.

Implications for cancer treatment

Understanding collagen dynamics during immunotherapy is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.

The study’s findings highlight the potential of quantitative imaging to enhance immunotherapy response in melanoma and other cancers.

By identifying new biomarkers associated with collagen changes, researchers aim to optimise therapeutic strategies and personalise cancer treatments.

This groundbreaking research opens doors to novel approaches in cancer therapy, emphasising the importance of collagen as a dynamic player in the tumour microenvironment.

As scientists continue to unravel the complexities of collagen’s role, patients may benefit from more effective and tailored treatments.

Source: SPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics