Advanced imaging for pre-cancer and cancer recurrence risk assessment

Title of the project: Advanced imaging for pre-cancer and cancer recurrence risk assessment
Project contract No: 1.1.1.9/LZP/2/25/343
Research manager (Postdoctoral fellow): Dr. Marta Skrastiņa
Project implementation times: 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2028
Total project funding: 183 297.60 EUR

Aim of the project: to promote early cancer detection and assessment of cancer recurrence risk by using the autofluorescence properties of tissues, by developing functionality and image-processing methodology for two applications: (1) skin cancer post-operative scars and (2) pre-cancerous lesions of oral mucosa. 

Expected project results: Scientific articles – 3; Number of new products and technologies with commercial potential – 1

Publications

Plorina EV, Lihacova I, Boostani M, Bozsányi S, Kiss N, Bliznuks D, Skrastina M and Lihachev A (2026) Photobleaching-based autofluorescence mapping reveals distinct patterns in sporadic basal cell carcinoma, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome-associated basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Front. Med. 13:1773895. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1773895. (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1773895/full)

Spigulis J, Rubins U, Kviesis-Kipge E, Skrastina M, Tihomirova J, Apine A and Vasilisina E (2026) Multispectral VIS-NIR whole-body imaging: equipment and skin cancer patient data. Proc. SPIE 13823, Photonics in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery 2026, 1382302. doi: 10.1117/12.3079953. (https://www.spiedigitallibrary.org/conference-proceedings-of-spie/13823/1382302/Multispectral-VIS-NIR-whole-body-imaging--equipment-and-skin/10.1117/12.3079953.full) 

Spigulis J, Irbe I, Rubins U, Kviesis-Kipge E and Skrastina M (2026) Skin malformation assessment by triple wavelength imaging. Front. Med. 13:1851235. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1851235. (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1851235/full)