Molecular subtyping of colorectal cancer using high-frequency ultrasound

Abstract

Previous studies have shown high-frequency (HF) ultrasound (10–100 MHz) may be sufficiently sensitive to detect and differentiate between both the histopathology and molecular subtypes of breast cancer. In order to explore other uses of HF ultrasound in real-time cancer diagnoses, two colorectal carcinoma cell lines were investigated: HT-29 and SW-620. This experiment tested the sensitivity of HF ultrasound on HT-29 and SW-620 and its ability to differentiate between the two lines. Subtypes of colorectal carcinoma have not been defined, but the morphology of these cell lines indicates that they may possess different molecular subtypes. Cell lines were grown as monolayer cultures and promptly tested with HF ultrasound using a single-element (50 MHz, 6.35-mm) ultrasonic immersion transducer. Ultrasound techniques and conditions were similar to previous breast cancer monolayer tests. Preliminary results indicate the cell lines produce different waveform and spectral signatures. The ability to differentiate between the two cell lines will both broaden the application of HF ultrasonic testing, and provide a method to define colorectal carcinoma subtypes. More cell lines will be tested in an effort to clearly define molecular subtypes of colorectal carcinoma. Defining subtypes will allow for more personalized diagnoses and treatment options for colon cancer patients.