Vibrational spectroscopy - are we close to finding a solution for early pancreatic cancer diagnosis?

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by dhado

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive, lethal malignancy with low 5-year survival rates below 10%, and its molecular and morphological heterogeneity drives complex interactions with tumor stroma and neural remodeling. Current diagnostic approaches lack specificity and sensitivity, motivating the search for earlier detection tools. Vibrational spectroscopy (VS) offers a promising route for early diagnosis. This review summarizes recent spectroscopic methodology improvements, clarifies strengths and limitations, and highlights spectroscopic data evaluation using multivariate analysis and convolutional neural networks, ending with a study design for systematic verification.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Early Diagnosis of PC

| W | J | G | World Journal of
Gastroenterology | | --- | --- | --- | --- | Submit a Manuscript: [https://www.f6publishing.com](https://www.f6publishing.com) [DOI:](DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i1.96)[ 10.3748/wjg.v29.i1.96](DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i1.96) World J Gastroenterol 2023 January 7; 29(1): 96-109 ISSN 1007-9327 (print) ISSN 2219-2840 (online) MINIREVIEWS Vibrational spectroscopy – are we close to finding a solution for early pancreatic cancer diagnosis? Krzysztof Szymoński, Łukasz Chmura, Ewelina Lipiec, Dariusz Adamek Specialty type: Gastroenterology and hepatology Provenance and peer review: Invited article; Externally peer reviewed. Peer-review model: Single blind Peer-review report’s scientific quality classification Grade A (Excellent): 0 Grade B (Very good): B Grade C (Good): C Grade D (Fair): 0 Grade E (Poor): 0 P-Reviewer: Susak YM, Ukraine; Zhao CF, China Received: July 8, 2022 Peer-review started: July 8, 2022 First decision: September 26, 2022 Revised: October 3, 2022 Accepted: October 31, 2022 Article in press: October 31, 2022 Published online: January 7, 2023 Krzysztof Szymoński, Łukasz Chmura, Department of Pathomorphology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow 33-332, Poland Krzysztof Szymoński, Łukasz Chmura, Dariusz Adamek, Department of Pathomorphology, University Hospital in Cracow, Cracow 31-501, Poland Ewelina Lipiec, M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, Cracow 30-348, Poland Dariusz Adamek, Department of Neuropathology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow 33-332, Poland Corresponding author: Krzysztof Szymoński, MD, Academic Research, Doctor, Researcher, Senior Researcher, Teaching Assistant, Department of Pathomorphology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Grzegórzecka 16, Cracow 33-332, Poland. [krzysztof.szymonski@uj.edu.pl](krzysztof.szymonski@uj.edu.pl) Abstract Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive and lethal neoplasm, ranking seventh in the world for cancer deaths, with an overall 5-year survival rate of below 10% . The knowledge about PC pathogenesis is rapidly expanding. New aspects of tumor biology, including its molecular and morphological heterogeneity, have been reported to explain the complicated “cross-talk” that occurs between the cancer cells and the tumor stroma or the nature of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma-associated neural remodeling. Nevertheless, currently, there are no specific and sensitive diagnosis options for PC. Vibrational spectroscopy (VS) shows a promising role in the development of early diagnosis technology. In this review, we summarize recent reports about improvements in spectroscopic methodologies, briefly explain and highlight the drawbacks of each of them, and discuss available solutions. The important aspects of spectroscopic data evaluation with multivariate analysis and a convolutional neural network methodology are depicted. We conclude by presenting a study design for systemic verification of the VS-based methods in the diagnosis of PC. Key Words: Spectroscopic cancer diagnosis; Raman spectroscopy; Pancreatic cancer diagnosis; DNA methylation; Liquid biopsy biomarkers; Convolutional neural networks ©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved. WJG [https://www.wjgnet.com](https://www.wjgnet.com) 96 January 7, 2023 Volume 29 Issue 1 Szymoński K et al. Solution for early pancreatic cancer PC diagnosis Core Tip: Vibrational spectroscopy (VS) may become a major player in the development of early diagnosis technology for pancreatic cancer. As with every technique, VS has promising attributes as well as drawbacks. We summarize recent reports about improvements in spectroscopic methodologies, briefly explain and highlight the drawbacks of each of them, and discuss available solutions. Additionally, the important aspects of spectroscopic data evaluation with multivariate analysis and a convo

FAQs

Why is early pancreatic cancer diagnosis difficult?

Early PC detection lacks specific and sensitive diagnostic options, leading to late-stage disease at diagnosis. Morphological and molecular tumor heterogeneity and variability also complicate assessment and response prediction.

What role does vibrational spectroscopy (VS) play in early PC detection?

VS is presented as having a promising role in developing early diagnosis technology for pancreatic cancer. The review discusses recent improvements in VS-based methodologies and how they may support earlier identification.

How are spectroscopic data analyzed in the proposed approaches?

Spectroscopic data evaluation is addressed using multivariate analysis and convolutional neural network methodology. These approaches are used to improve interpretation of spectroscopic signals for diagnostic purposes.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by dhado