Guiding Light Optimising Wide local excisions (GLOW)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Use of Fluorophores Intraoperatively for Tumour Detection in Breast Cancer Surgery
IRAS ID
260633
Contact name
Daniel Leff
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College
Eudract number
2019-000748-84
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 1 months, 1 days
Research summary
Approximately 1 in 5 women undergoing breast conserving surgery for cancer will have tumor left behind after resection, thus needing further surgery. This is problematic in terms of the extra stress put upon the patient of having to undergo further surgery, poorer cosmetic outcome, the delay in chemoradiotherapy, as well as the cost to the NHS and the economy.
This pilot study aims to develop technology to detect the difference between healthy and breast cancer tissue, using various contrast agents (fluorophores) and a multispectral imaging system. The fluorophores are designed to target breast cancers through various proteins or metabolic pathways. The multispectral imaging system will then be able to activate the fluorophores and detect their signal, thus allowing the cancer can be seen simultaneously. By being able to show the surgeon the tumour at the same time he is operating, there is the potential that he will be able to cut it all out at the first operation.
The fluorophores we plan on using to investigate breast cancer are: aminolevulinic acid (ALA) & EMI-137.
ALA is an amino acid which naturally occurs in the body. It is a substrate for protoporphorin IX (PpIX), an endogenous fluorophore. ALA is currently approved for use in brain, bladder, and skin cancer operations in Europe.
EMI-137 is a protein which targets the C-met receptor. It is currently being explored for its usefulness in various cancers.
Side effects are minimal (nausea, headache, etc.) & uncommon with all dyes.The use of this imaging system could guide surgeons in real time and thus improve surgery outcomes and decrease recurrence rates.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0927
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jun 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion