Developing photonics and specific peptides platform towards point-of-care screening for cholangiocarcinoma diagnosis in Lao PDR

Liver cancer, particularly Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), represents a significant global health burden with exceptionally high incidence and mortality in the Greater Mekong Subregion, driven largely by the Opisthorchis viverrini liver fluke infection. CCA's subtle early symptoms lead to late stage diagnosis, resulting in poor survival rates and imposing high economic costs, while current diagnostics like imaging and biomarkers like CA 19 9 lack the necessary sensitivity for early detection. To address the critical need for accurate, accessible, and stage specific screening tools, this research proposes an innovative, cost effective diagnostic platform that integrates three advanced technologies: Surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), which uses amplified signals coupled with machine learning to identify minute biochemical changes and multiple biomarkers; Peptidomics , which discovers novel, disease specific peptide signatures in biofluids; and Silicon Photonic Sensors ( BiPhoS )), a highly sensitive, scalable, and IoT compatible nanoscale platform for real time, point of care detection. Supported by a robust collaborative network including institutions in Thailand (CMU, TMEC, BIOTEC, NECTEC), Lao PDR, the Philippines (ADMU), and Japan (NICT, Suzuka University). This study aims to establish a new platform for minimally invasive early CCA diagnosis, initially benefiting Lao PDR and eventually contributing to the reduction of CCA incidence, mortality, and healthcare costs across the GMS and globally. The outcome of this study could deliver innovative, minimally invasive platforms for early CCA diagnosis, starting in Laos, and then for application globally. Future development will focus on a point of care CCA screening platform, which will significantly reduce CCA incidence, mortality, and related healthcare expenses.

* Project Leader