Magic glasses for oncologists

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed high-tech glasses that allow oncological surgeons to see malignant cells turning blue. This yet-to-be-named new technology was used for the first time during an operation to remove a lymph node performed on February 10 at the Alvin Zaytman Cancer Center.

Traditional standards of oncological surgery imply the removal of the tumor and parts of the surrounding tissues that may not contain malignant cells. The removed material is sent to the laboratory, where the pathologist analyzes it under a microscope. If cancer cells are found in the tissue surrounding the tumor, the patient is often prescribed a repeat operation to remove more extensive areas of tissue. This happens in about 20-25% of cases.

A new technology developed by researchers working under the guidance of Professor Samuel Achilefu will change this approach by combining traditional video recording, a head-mounted display and a molecular agent that selectively interacts with cancer cells and emits a blue glow under certain lighting conditions.

This technology provides effective visualization of tumors with a diameter of 1 millimeter.

In pilot experiments on laboratory mice, the developers used the indocyanine green dye, a widely used contrast agent approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

After the introduction of this agent into the tumor, when observed in special glasses, the malignant cells began to glow.

Currently, Achilefu is awaiting FDA approval for another dye that binds more selectively to malignant cells and lasts longer in them.

According to oncologist Julie Margenthaler, who tested the new technology in practice for the first time, despite the need for improvement and further testing of the approach, surgeons believe that visualization of malignant cells during surgery will ease the fate of many cancer patients.

The video shows a cancer–stricken lymph node, as the surgeon sees it through new glasses. A fluorescent marker injected into the patient and special lighting provided a blue glow of tumor cells. The brighter and lighter the area, the higher the concentration of malignant cells in it.

Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of Washington University in St. Louis:
Special glasses help surgeons ‘see’ cancer.

13.02.2014