李偉廷

Abstract:

Synchrotron-based Fourier-transform infrared (SR-FTIR) imaging offers high spatial resolution, label-free, and non-destructive molecular profiling, making it a promising tool for precision diagnostics. In this study, we integrated wax physisorption kinetics (WPK) with SR-FTIR imaging to analyze exfoliated epithelial cells in saliva for the early detection of oral cancer.

N-Alkane wax probes of varying chain lengths (C22, C25, C28, C30) were used to assess glycan-binding affinity on the cell membrane. After xylene washing, residual wax was quantified via IR absorption in the 3000–2800 cm⁻¹ range. Full-field FTIR images were collected to map wax retention. Patients with verrucous hyperplasia and oral cancer showed elevated retention of long-chain waxes (especially C30), reflecting increased long-chain glycans associated with malignant transformation. These findings align with the increased C30R/C22R ratio observed in oral cancer patients.

Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using saliva and WPK-based FTIR imaging for non-invasive glycan profiling. This approach not only enables early detection of malignant progression in high-risk oral lesions but also provides a platform for future AI-integrated diagnostic models. The method holds strong potential for improving clinical screening strategies and advancing the integration of IR spectroscopy into precision medicine.

Keywords – Glycoprotein, Infrared Wax Physisorption Kinetics (iR-WPK), Saliva, Verrucous hyperplasia (VH), Oral cancer.

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