In conclusion, these proof of principle experiments demonstrated that we may be able to identify, through CT scans, the existence of SCC cancer cells; the concentrated assembly of gold nanoparticles that form exclusively on the targeted cancer cells yield a strong selective X-ray attenuation that is distinct from the attenuation obtained by identical but untargeted cancer cells or by normal cells.
We expect that the CT molecular imaging technique will revolutionize modern head and neck cancer diagnosis and staging, by allowing reliable and sensitive detection of lymph nodes and other metastasis, which are not available today. This might also prevent or minimize the now routinely performed neck dissection, which is associated with considerable morbidity. The importance of such a technique is further reinforced because of the vast availability and the extensive use of CT in clinics today, and will provide the ability to perform simultaneously macroscopic (CT) and microscopic (molecular based CT) imaging.