Real-time 5-ALA fluorescence guidance for brain tumor surgery
Integration of 5-ALA Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging with Stereotactic Surgical Navigation for Quantitative Real-Time Spatial Localization of Tumor During Neurosurgical Procedures
This project uses a safe dye (5-ALA) and a new light-based imaging tool to help neurosurgeons find and remove glioblastoma more accurately during surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11250150 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive 5-ALA before surgery, which the tumor turns into a glowing molecule called PpIX. A new fiber-based fluorescence lifetime camera captures quantitative glow signals under normal lighting and the system maps those signals onto the surgeon's navigation display. The team will build software and tissue classifiers from patient samples so the imaging highlights likely tumor at the resection margin in real time. Surgeons at UC Davis will use the integrated system during operations in a prospective clinical protocol to see how it helps guide removal.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults scheduled for surgical removal of a suspected high-grade glioma or glioblastoma who can receive 5-ALA would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People not having surgery, with tumors that do not take up 5-ALA, or who cannot receive 5-ALA (due to allergy or other contraindications) would not be expected to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help surgeons remove more tumor while sparing healthy brain, which may lower recurrence and improve outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Standard 5-ALA fluorescence guidance has improved extent of resection in prior trials, but integrating quantitative fluorescence lifetime imaging with neuronavigation is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bloch, Orin — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Bloch, Orin
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.