Fluorescent LN target in colorectal cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating a new fluorescent antibody targeting metastatic lymph nodes during colorectal cancer surgery
IRAS ID
233148
Contact name
Thomas Barnes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
When removing a segment of bowel for cancer there are 2 aims. One is to remove the entire tumour inside the bowel and the other is to remove the lymph nodes (glands) that are draining the tumour. These lymph nodes are located within a structure called the mesentery which provides all the blood supply to the colon. Both the mesentery and the colon are removed together as part of the specimen.
Surgeons often do not know whether the lymph nodes they are removing with the tumour have cancer (metastases) within them. In addition, it is often difficult to see individual lymph nodes. A way in which the lymph nodes can be visualised is by using a technique called fluorescence which uses a special dye that emits near infra-red (invisible) light after being stimulated by light within a particular wavelength range. When injected around the tumour, the dye reaches the lymph nodes. These dyes cannot differentiate between normal and abnormal lymph nodes.]
The Bodmer laboratory have an antibody (AUA1) which can potentially bind to cancer cells from the colon that are inside lymph nodes. Our study aims to assess whether this antibody, bound to a fluorescent dye, can positively identify metastatic lymph nodes within the colonic mesentery in fresh colorectal cancer specimens that have already been removed from patients as part of a planned operation.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1634
Date of REC Opinion
25 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion