Hitachi and National Cancer Center Japan Develop Quantitative Cell Analysis Technology for Lung Cancer Screening Support Using SEM-EDX
Hitachi and the National Cancer Center have developed a quantitative cell analysis technology for lung cancer screening support using SEM-EDX. By measuring phosphorus from DNA and nuclear area to provide a 'P-count/Nuclear Area Profile,' the technology complements traditional visual observation to improve the accuracy of Rapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE).
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 14:52 (1h 20m after Collected)
Hitachi, Hitachi High-Tech, and the National Cancer Center Hospital East have developed a quantitative cell analysis technology that combines Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observation and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), intended for application in Rapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE) during bronchoscopy for peripheral lung lesions suspected of being lung cancer.
In traditional ROSE, specialized medical personnel observe cell morphology using optical microscopes to determine specimen adequacy and whether cells are benign or malignant. This technology uses the SEM-EDX method to measure characteristic X-ray counts (P-counts) derived from phosphorus (P), a DNA constituent element, for each cell nucleus, and also measures the nuclear area from SEM images. By combining these results, it presents a 'P-count/Nuclear Area Profile' as a quantitative indicator to complement morphological observation. An analysis of 'P-count/Nuclear Area Profiles' targeting 49 cases of bronchial scraping cell specimens confirmed that cancer cell groups show a distribution different from normal cell groups. This is expected to support specimen evaluation and the determination of the necessity for additional sampling in ROSE. Additionally, by using a compact benchtop Low-Vacuum SEM (LVSEM) with excellent installability, it is easy to introduce into limited spaces such as laboratories, and is configured to allow direct observation of glass slide specimens.
In the future, in addition to verification with an expanded case scale, the organizations will advance the improvement of measurement and analysis technologies with a view toward application in ROSE for bronchoscopy, aiming to support medical settings.
Figure 1: Example of referring to the quantitative indicator 'P-count/Nuclear Area Profile' (right) obtained by SEM-EDX method and the cytology image (left) as a set (cancer cells are characterized by large nuclei and deep staining within the nucleus).
*1 Bronchoscopy: A test performed when abnormal shadows are seen on CT and lung cancer or infection is suspected. A thin endoscope (fiberscope) is inserted through the mouth or nose to directly observe the inside of the trachea/bronchi or to collect tissue/cells (biopsy).
*2 Rapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE): A method to evaluate collected cells on the spot during an examination to determine the need for diagnosis or additional testing.
*3 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): A device that can magnify and observe fine structures such as cells.
*4 Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX): An analytical method to examine the types and amounts of elements contained in a sample.
*5 This technology is in the research stage, and the equipment used in this study has not obtained approval/certification as a medical device.
*6 SEM-EDX Method: A technology that performs elemental analysis with EDX while simultaneously observing a sample with SEM.
*7 Characteristic X-ray Count: In elemental analysis using EDX, the count detected for 'characteristic X-rays for each element' contained in the sample. This article uses characteristic X-ray counts derived from phosphorus (P) as P-counts.
*8 Bronchial Scraping Cell Specimen: A cell sample collected by scraping with a brush during bronchoscopy.
*9 Low-Vacuum SEM (LVSEM): An SEM that allows observation of samples without conductive treatments such as metal coating. This technology uses it as a benchtop LVSEM.
In traditional ROSE, specialized medical personnel observe cell morphology using optical microscopes to determine specimen adequacy and whether cells are benign or malignant. This technology uses the SEM-EDX method to measure characteristic X-ray counts (P-counts) derived from phosphorus (P), a DNA constituent element, for each cell nucleus, and also measures the nuclear area from SEM images. By combining these results, it presents a 'P-count/Nuclear Area Profile' as a quantitative indicator to complement morphological observation. An analysis of 'P-count/Nuclear Area Profiles' targeting 49 cases of bronchial scraping cell specimens confirmed that cancer cell groups show a distribution different from normal cell groups. This is expected to support specimen evaluation and the determination of the necessity for additional sampling in ROSE. Additionally, by using a compact benchtop Low-Vacuum SEM (LVSEM) with excellent installability, it is easy to introduce into limited spaces such as laboratories, and is configured to allow direct observation of glass slide specimens.
In the future, in addition to verification with an expanded case scale, the organizations will advance the improvement of measurement and analysis technologies with a view toward application in ROSE for bronchoscopy, aiming to support medical settings.
Figure 1: Example of referring to the quantitative indicator 'P-count/Nuclear Area Profile' (right) obtained by SEM-EDX method and the cytology image (left) as a set (cancer cells are characterized by large nuclei and deep staining within the nucleus).
*1 Bronchoscopy: A test performed when abnormal shadows are seen on CT and lung cancer or infection is suspected. A thin endoscope (fiberscope) is inserted through the mouth or nose to directly observe the inside of the trachea/bronchi or to collect tissue/cells (biopsy).
*2 Rapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE): A method to evaluate collected cells on the spot during an examination to determine the need for diagnosis or additional testing.
*3 Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM): A device that can magnify and observe fine structures such as cells.
*4 Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX): An analytical method to examine the types and amounts of elements contained in a sample.
*5 This technology is in the research stage, and the equipment used in this study has not obtained approval/certification as a medical device.
*6 SEM-EDX Method: A technology that performs elemental analysis with EDX while simultaneously observing a sample with SEM.
*7 Characteristic X-ray Count: In elemental analysis using EDX, the count detected for 'characteristic X-rays for each element' contained in the sample. This article uses characteristic X-ray counts derived from phosphorus (P) as P-counts.
*8 Bronchial Scraping Cell Specimen: A cell sample collected by scraping with a brush during bronchoscopy.
*9 Low-Vacuum SEM (LVSEM): An SEM that allows observation of samples without conductive treatments such as metal coating. This technology uses it as a benchtop LVSEM.