Cole Relaxation Frequency as a Prognostic Parameter for Breast Cancer

Abstract

We previously reported successful classification of breast cancer versus benign tissue using the Cole relaxation frequency measured on tissue excised during breast surgery as part of a study at two urban hospitals in the U.S. Midwest. Using that health system's cancer registry, we have discovered retrospectively that outcomes for patients who participated in the initial study can be classified correctly in 3 well-differentiated categories: nonrecurrent (NR); recurrent with no metastasis (RNM); and recurrent with metastasis (RM). As Cole relaxation frequency increases, the classification moves from NR to RNM and finally to RM. Multivariate analysis showed a significant association of "timecancer-free" for all patients in these recurrent categories, with P-values ranging between 0.0001 to 0.0047. Thus, this follow-up report shows the potential feasibility of using Cole relaxation frequency as a prognostic parameter in a larger prospective study.

Bioimpedance Based Biomarker for the Detection of Precancerous and Cancerous Lesions of the Pancreas: Feasibility Animal Study

“…The positive correlation between CRF biomarker and pathologically analyzed cancer-induced fibrosis in PC may be similar to that shown in breast cancer [42]. Gregory et al [42] previously reported using the CRF biomarker as a prognostic indicator for the aggressiveness of breast cancer.…”

“…The positive correlation between CRF biomarker and pathologically analyzed cancer-induced fibrosis in PC may be similar to that shown in breast cancer [42]. Gregory et al [42] previously reported using the CRF biomarker as a prognostic indicator for the aggressiveness of breast cancer. In that retrospective study, a strong correlation was found between the CRF values of tumor excisions measured at time of surgery and long term patient outcomes in terms of recurrence or time-cancer-free [42].…”

“…The algorithm extracts the CRF that is used as an impedance spectroscopy biomarker to detect cancer. NovaScan has established proof-of-concept technologies to detect cancer in breast [30,42], skin [31], and lung [32,33] tissues. Moreover, for each tissue kind, NovaScan has developed customized prototype devices that have been tested and validated ex vivo [30][31][32][33].…”

Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy for Monitoring Mammalian Cells and Tissues under Different Frequency Domains: A Review

“…129 Some researchers have identified a frequency-dependent parameter, the Cole relaxation frequency (CRF), for classifying tissues and distinguishing cancerous tissue from healthy breast tissues. 130 Defined as the frequency where the imaginary component of impedance vs frequency peaks in a Z IM − frequency plane of a Cole−Cole plot the CRF differs for cancerous vs noncancerous tissues. Based on the hypothesis that cancer decreases the polarizability of cells and hence lowers the capacitance of cells, the CRF of normal tissue (0.001−0.1 MHz) shifts to higher frequencies (0.1−2 MHz) for cancerous cells.…”

“…Cancer affects the packing state of tongue cells resulting in widening of extracellular space leading to a more conductive path for ion migration at lower frequencies (reducing impedance compared to healthy parts of the same tongue as well as tongues of healthy patients) . Some researchers have identified a frequency-dependent parameter, the Cole relaxation frequency (CRF), for classifying tissues and distinguishing cancerous tissue from healthy breast tissues . Defined as the frequency where the imaginary component of impedance vs frequency peaks in a Z IM –frequency plane of a Cole–Cole plot the CRF differs for cancerous vs noncancerous tissues.…”