Nanoscale material illuminates cancer cells in freezing conditions for precise cryosurgery

Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have developed an innovative tool that enhances surgeons’ ability to detect and remove cancer cells during cryosurgery, a procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy tumors. This breakthrough technology involves a specialized nanoscale material that illuminates cancer cells under freezing conditions, making them easier to distinguish from healthy tissue and improving surgical precision.

Detailed in the study “Freezing-Activated Covalent Organic Frameworks for Precise Fluorescence Cryo-Imaging of Cancer Tissue” in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the Trabolsi research group at NYUAD designed a unique nanoscale covalent organic framework (nTG-DFP-COF) that responds to extreme cold by increasing its fluorescence. This makes it possible to clearly differentiate between cancerous and healthy tissues during surgery.

The material, prepared by Gobinda Das, Ph.D., a researcher in the Trabolsi Research Group at NYUAD, is engineered to be biocompatible and low in toxicity, ensuring it interacts safely within the body. Importantly, it maintains its fluorescent properties even in the presence of ice crystals inside cells, allowing real-time monitoring during cryosurgery.

This advancement not only improves the accuracy and safety of cryosurgical procedures—helping surgeons preserve more healthy tissue while removing cancer cells—but also combines diagnostic and treatment functions into one platform. This could reduce the need for repeat surgeries and speed up patient recovery.

Fluorescence imaging, a non-invasive technique that uses light-sensitive dyes to highlight tumors, has gained traction for its ability to provide real-time insights during surgery. However, its use in cryosurgery has remained largely unexplored until now.

“We believe this is a transformative tool that could revolutionize cancer surgery,” said Farah Benyettou, Ph.D., a research scientist in the Trabolsi Research Group at NYU Abu Dhabi. “By making tumor removal more precise, this technology has the potential to reduce additional surgeries and accelerate patient recovery. It’s a major step forward in treating aggressive, hard-to-target cancers.”

“This breakthrough bridges the gap between imaging and therapy, providing surgeons with a real-time tool to visualize and remove cancer with unprecedented precision,” said Ali Trabolsi, Professor of Chemistry and principal investigator of the Trabolsi Research Group at NYU Abu Dhabi. “By integrating fluorescence imaging with cryosurgery, we are pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment and offering new hope for patients with difficult-to-treat tumors.”