A recent study published in the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging reveals that a special glowing marker dye could assist surgeons in detecting and removing prostate cancer cells that are not visible to the naked eye.
The technique was tested on 23 men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Before undergoing robot-assisted surgery, the patients were injected with a fluorescent dye linked to a specific marker molecule. This dye highlighted cancerous tissues that conventional methods failed to detect. It works by binding to a protein found on the surface of prostate cancer cells. Surgeons used an imaging system that emits a special type of light to make these cancer cells glow, enhancing visibility during the procedure.
The dye enabled surgeons to identify and remove all cancerous tissues, including those that had spread to surrounding pelvic tissues and lymph nodes. This approach significantly reduces the risk of cancer recurrence. Additionally, it helps preserve healthy tissues, leading to fewer life-altering side effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Researchers believe this marker dye could be adapted for other cancer types by altering the target protein. “We are giving the surgeon a second pair of eyes to see where the cancer cells are and if they have spread. This is the first time we have managed to see such fine details of prostate cancer in real-time during surgery,” said the lead researcher.
