Two new fluorescent dyes attracted to cancer cells may help
neurosurgeons more accurately localize and completely resect brain
tumors, suggests a study in the February issue of Neurosurgery,
official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. The journal
is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters
Kluwer Health.
Dr. John S. Kuo and colleagues of University of Wisconsin School of
Medicine and Public Health, Madison, evaluated two "tumor-selective"
fluorescent agents: called CLR1501 and CLR1502, for their ability to
differentiate brain tumors from normal brain tissue in mice. "This study
demonstrates the promising potential of CLR1501 and CLR 1502 analogs
for use in fluorescence-guided tumor surgery," the researchers conclude.
CLR1501 and CLR1502 are synthetic analogs of the tumor-targeting agent
alkylphosphocholine (APC), which is specifically attracted to cancer
cells. The new agents were molecularly altered to carry fluorescent dyes
that glow under lights with specific wavelengths, either in the green
(CLR1501) or near-infrared (CLR1502) range. Viewed under appropriate
conditions, the dyes make tumor cells "light up" so that they can be
readily distinguished from neighboring normal brain tissue.
The results confirmed that CLR1501 and CLR1502 were attracted to tumor
cells, and emitted light of specific wavelengths under appropriate
imaging conditions. Both APC analogs provided "excellent fluorescence
discrimination of tumor from adjacent normal brain." Tumors could be
clearly seen using different types of commercially available imaging
systems.
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