A glowing marker dye that adheres to prostate cancer cells could aid surgeons in removing them in real-time, according to a study published in the *European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging*. The study, titled “First in Man Study of the PSMA Minibody IR800 IAB2M for Molecularly Targeted Intraoperative Fluorescence Guidance During Radical Prostatectomy,” showcases promising advancements in cancer surgery.
Researchers from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, Department of Oncology, Oxford University Hospitals, and Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Center developed a fluorescent dye attached to a marker molecule. This dye provides surgeons with a “second pair of eyes” during prostate cancer surgery.
In the study, 23 men with prostate cancer were injected with the marker dye before undergoing prostate removal surgery. The dye highlighted cancerous tissue that was invisible to the naked eye and other clinical methods. This allowed surgeons to remove all cancerous tissues, potentially reducing cancer recurrence and preserving healthy tissues, thereby minimizing life-changing side effects.
The dye and targeting molecule, IR800-IAB2M, help surgeons see tumor edges and identify cancerous cell clusters that have spread to nearby pelvic tissues and lymph nodes. This guidance enables precise removal of cancerous tissues while preserving healthy areas around the prostate.
The marker dye binds to Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), a protein found on prostate cancer cells. The marker molecule, a “minibody,” specifically attaches to PSMA, ensuring targeted action. This technology was developed by Oxford scientists in collaboration with ImaginAb Inc., based in Inglewood, California.
During the initial stage of the ProMOTE study, the fluorescent dye was used in robot-assisted prostate removal surgeries. Surgeons employed an imaging system developed by Professor Borivoj Vojnovic’s team at the University of Oxford, which made the prostate cancer cells glow under a special light. The dye identified cell clusters that had spread from the tumor, which were undetectable by the naked eye.
Though the marker dye is in early clinical development, it shows potential for routine use in surgeries to ensure complete cancer removal. Future applications might extend to other cancer types by modifying the dye’s attachment protein. Ongoing clinical trials aim to confirm the technique’s effectiveness in removing more cancer while preserving healthy tissue compared to current methods.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with about 52,300 new cases annually. Professor Freddie Hamdy, lead author of the study, emphasized the transformative potential of this technique in prostate surgery. He highlighted its ability to eliminate all cancer cells while reducing side effects like incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Dr. Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, remarked on the importance of early-stage cancer detection and the potential of this combined marker dye and imaging system to revolutionize prostate cancer treatment.
As further trials progress, this innovative technique holds promise for reliably eradicating prostate and other cancers, potentially leading to longer, healthier lives free from the disease.
