A dye that lights up lung tumors during surgery
Translating phospholipase activatable fluorophores for the sensitive detection of non-small cell lung cancer
This work tests a special near-infrared dye that lights up non-small cell lung cancer tumors during surgery so surgeons can better see and remove cancerous tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294189 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are developing a dye that becomes fluorescent when it encounters an enzyme common in non-small cell lung tumors, allowing real-time imaging in the operating room. The team is translating a probe called DDAO-arachidonate that targets the enzyme cPLA2α and glows in near-infrared light, which surgeons can view during resection. Early testing includes laboratory work and animal studies to confirm safety, tumor selectivity, and imaging performance before use in people. The goal is to move this imaging tool toward use during lung cancer surgeries to help find small tumor bits that are hard to see or feel.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with non-small cell lung cancer who are scheduled for surgical resection, especially those with early-stage or localized tumors.
Not a fit: Patients with small cell lung cancer, widely metastatic disease, or who will not undergo surgery are unlikely to benefit from this intraoperative imaging approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the dye could help surgeons remove more complete tumor margins and lower the chance of cancer coming back after surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Related near-infrared targeted imaging agents have shown promise in preclinical models and some early clinical trials for other cancers, while cPLA2α-activatable probes represent a newer, translational approach.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Delikatny, Edward J — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Delikatny, Edward J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.