Imaging the microscale mechanical properties of cancer using optical coherence elastography

Optical coherence elastography (OCE) is emerging as an important technique in characterising and mapping the mechanical properties of cancer on the microscale. This review presents the latest advances in the development of OCE for oncology, highlighting cancer mechanobiology, drug-delivery monitoring and clinical diagnostics as the three most promising areas. Key technical innovations are described including the development of novel loading methods to enable the imaging of single cells, as well as the design of imaging probes that enable OCE's application to in vivo imaging. We also provide our perspective on how these developments may shape future translation and adoption of OCE in oncology.