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Machine Learning Analysis of Two-photon Fluorescence Microscopy of Dermatologic Biopsies

Machine Learning Analysis of Expanded Two-photon Imaging of Skin Biopsy Specimens

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07682831
Enrollment
92
Registered
2026-07-06
Start date
2026-06-24
Completion date
2027-07-01
Last updated
2026-08-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Basal Cell Carcinoma of Skin, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Skin)

Keywords

two-photon microscopy, machine learning

Brief summary

The goal of this study is to investigate the ability of a machine learning model to evaluate two-photon fluorescence microscopy images of dermatologic biopsies at point of care. The main question it aims to answer is: • How well do two-photon fluorescence images of biopsies taken in a clinic and evaluated by a machine learning model agree with conventional histology?

Detailed description

This study will image biopsy specimens at point of care using two-photon fluorescence microscopy (TPFM) and then assess how well the images predict the eventual clinical diagnosis using a machine learning model. Because two-photon images can be acquired from small biopsy specimens within minutes of excision, they could potentially be used to immediately diagnose patients, but the accuracy of TPFM for various skin conditions is unknown. Individual biopsy specimens in a dermatology clinic will be imaged using TPFM shortly after biopsy procedures. Immediately following imaging, a machine learning model will evaluate the TPFM images then compute a confidence score for a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma, and non-cancer. The relative confidence in each diagnosis will be compared, and if sufficient confidence is achieved, the model will render a diagnosis or else flag the specimen as indeterminate for manual pathologist review. This workflow will evaluate the use of ML + TPFM to perform point of care diagnosis of skin lesions. Following TPFM imaging, the specimen will be submitted for histological processing, which will guide actual patient treatment. Following conclusion of patient treatment, the resulting histology slides will be scanned for comparison and the final patient diagnosis recorded. Images of the histology slides will be read by a pathologist to establish a gold-standard diagnosis. The official diagnosis and the diagnosis from the collaborating pathologist will be compared. Patient treatment will still be decided by conventional histopathology. TPFM will not be used to change treatment.

Interventions

Ex vivo tissues will be imaged with two-photon microscopy and analyzed with machine learning for diagnosis

Sponsors

University of Rochester
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
CollaboratorNIH
Rochester Dermatologic Surgery
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Punch, excisional or shave biopsy specimen

Exclusion criteria

* Biopsy indication includes melanoma or dysplastic/atypical nevus * Excision thickness of less than 1 mm * Excision longest dimension less than 2 mm * Excision performed as multiple pieces in a single specimen container

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Sensitivity of Machine Learning Analysis of Two Photon Fluorescence Microscopy Images At Point of CareDuring or immediately following patient biopsy (same day)A machine learning model will evaluate TPFM images of patient biopsies at point of care. Sensitivity will be calculated for the machine learning model using two photon fluorescence microscopy images. Sensitivity is defined as the number of true positive diagnoses divided by the sum of true positive and false negative diagnoses among biopsy specimens for which the machine learning model provides a definitive diagnosis. The patient's ultimate clinical diagnosis will serve as the reference standard.
Specificity of Machine Learning Analysis of Two Photon Fluorescence Microscopy Images At Point of CareDuring or immediately following patient biopsy (same day)A machine learning model will evaluate TPFM images of patient biopsies at point of care. Specificity will be calculated for the machine learning model using two photon fluorescence microscopy images. Specificity is defined as the number of true negative diagnoses divided by the sum of true negative and false positive diagnoses among biopsy specimens for which the machine learning model provides a definitive diagnosis. The patient's ultimate clinical diagnosis will serve as the reference standard.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Proportion of Discordant Diagnoses Attributable to Machine Learning Model Interpretation ErrorsAfter completion of patient diagnosis (typically 1-2 weeks after procedure)For biopsy specimens with discordant diagnoses between the machine learning model and the patient's ultimate clinical diagnosis, a dermatopathologist will review each case and classify the source of disagreement as machine learning model interpretation error, image quality limitation, or image coregistration error. The proportion of discordant diagnoses attributable to each source of disagreement will be reported.
Proportion of Biopsy Specimens With a Definitive Machine Learning DiagnosisDuring or immediately following patient biopsy (same day)The proportion of biopsy specimens for which the machine learning model provides a definitive diagnosis based on two photon fluorescence microscopy images will be calculated as the number of specimens receiving a definitive diagnosis divided by the total number of specimens evaluated.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTMichael Giacomelli, Ph.D
mgiacome@ur.rochester.edu5852766260

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 20, 2026