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Combined Optical Coherence Elastography and Tomography for Assessing Skin Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis

Award Number: R33AR078078
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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Combined Optical Coherence Elastography and Tomography for Assessing Skin Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis - Abstract Systemic sclerosis (SSc-scleroderma) is an autoimmune disease leading to widespread fibrosis in skin and internal organs. Skin involvement is a prominent source of distress and morbidity in this disease. The modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) as the current gold standard for assessment of skin thickening has limited accuracy, high inter-observer variability, requires extensive training which have cumulatively contributed to the fact there are currently no FDA approved medications for skin involvement in SSc. Therefore, an objective and accurate tool for assessment of skin fibrosis can be paradigm shifting for clinical trial design and patient management in SSc by improving our ability to track treatment response and disease progression. Our preliminary data indicate that the imaging by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and elasticity measurement by optical coherence elastography (OCE) can provide a safe, rapid, and accurate assessment of SSc skin fibrosis. Specifically, OCT/OCE is the first objective dermal assessment method showing criterion validity and outperforming mRSS for correlation with the histological dermal thickness in the forearm area. As the OCE primarily assesses tissue stiffness, its performance is weaker in some other body areas such as fingers, where the skin can be tethered to the underlying tissue. On the other hand, an improved high-resolution OCT technology with accompanying optical density measurement that can image deeper layers of dermis would provide an additional objective assessment of dermal fibrosis. This is especially relevant in SSc as fibrosis primarily occurs in deeper layers of dermis (reticular dermis). Our hypothesis is that an improved OCT based structural imaging that can capture the deeper dermal layers in combination with the OCE based stiffness assessment will improve our ability to accurately measure dermal fibrosis in SSc. The primary goal of this project to develop and validate a deep OCT/OCT based tool for assessment of SSc skin thickness. To accomplish this goal, the following Specific Aims will be pursued during the R61 phase: Aim 1: To enhance signal-to-noise ratio (up to 120 dB) and imaging depth (up to 2 mm) of the currently available OCE/OCT system for more accurate assessment of SSc skin. Aim 2: To determine the accuracy of combined OCE and deep dermal OCT imaging for assessment of skin fibrosis and for monitoring response to treatment in bleomycin induced dermal fibrosis mouse model. Aim 3: To characterize the accuracy and reliability of a combination of deep OCT/OCE for assessing skin fibrosis in SSc patients. Building on the above studies, we will characterize the longitudinal changes in the OCE/OCT assessment of skin fibrosis and determine its sensitivity to change in SSc patients during the R33 phase. This project can lead to development of a safe and quantitative tool for objective assessment of dermal fibrosis which can be paradigm shifting by facilitating approval of novel treatments for SSc skin involvement. Moreover, it can aid clinicians to accurately track disease progression and response to treatment and ultimately lead to improved monitoring and treatment strategies in this potentially devastating disease.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $124,467 )
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON	7000 FANNIN ST FL 9	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	001	3	5/16/2024	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
2024	2023	UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON	7000 FANNIN ST FL 9	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	3	1/23/2024	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$124,467
														Subtotal = $124,467

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $388,525 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON, THE	7000 FANNIN ST	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	000	3	5/18/2023	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$388,525
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT HOUSTON, THE	7000 FANNIN ST	HOUSTON	TX	77030	HARRIS	USA	Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research	001	3	6/2/2023	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$0
														Subtotal = $388,525

Grand Total All Awards = $512,992

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Combined Optical Coherence Elastography and Tomography for Assessing Skin Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis

Award Number: R33AR078078

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS & MUSCULOSKELETAL & SKIN DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

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