Using ICG imaging technology during surgery for advanced gastric cancer

[The iGreenGO Study]. Investigation About the Clinical Value of Indocyanine Green Imaging Fluorescence (NIR/ICG) Technology as a Modifier of Surgeon's Conduct During Curative Treatment of Advanced Gastric Cancer. Study Protocol for a Western, Observational, Prospective, Multicentric Study

Observational Niguarda Hospital · NCT04943484

This study is testing if a special imaging technology can help surgeons perform better during operations for patients with advanced stomach cancer.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment360 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorNiguarda Hospital Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Milan, Italia)
Trial IDNCT04943484 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The iGreenGO Study investigates the impact of near-infrared/indocyanine green (NIR/ICG) imaging technology on surgical procedures for patients with advanced gastric cancer. This observational study will involve a cohort of Western patients undergoing curative-intent gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy, where ICG will be injected preoperatively to assess its effect on surgical conduct. The primary focus is to determine if the use of NIR/ICG leads to changes in surgical approach and to evaluate various clinical variables associated with these changes. Secondary endpoints include the number of lymph nodes retrieved and the incidence of complications post-surgery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with histologically confirmed advanced gastric adenocarcinoma eligible for gastrectomy.

Not a fit: Patients with distant metastasis or those who have had previous upper abdominal surgeries may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance surgical outcomes and improve the accuracy of cancer resections in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

How similar studies have performed: While the clinical value of NIR/ICG technology in this context is not fully established, similar imaging techniques have shown promise in other surgical oncology fields.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria

* Age ≥ 18 years old
* Preoperative histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the upper, middle or lower part of the stomach.
* Advanced disease (Staged cT2-T4a, N0-3;M0 according to 8th edition of the AJCC TNM Staging System) at diagnosis, in which resection can be safely achieved by distal or total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy via a minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) approach, either as first treatment or after neoadjuvant treatment
* No distant metastasis, no direct invasion of pancreas, spleen or other organs nearby in the preoperative and intraoperative examinations
* Written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Women during pregnancy or breast-feeding
* History of previous upper abdominal surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy will be allowed)
* History of previous gastrectomy, endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection
* History of allergy to iodine agents
* Cancer located at the esophago-gastric junction (Siewert I, II, III tumors 29)
* Patients candidates to transthoracic esophagectomy, transhiatal extended gastrectomy or proximal gastrectomy
* History of previous neoadjuvant chemotherapy (except perioperative chemotherapy for gastric cancer) or radiotherapy

Where this trial is running

Milan, Italia

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Gastric Canceradvancedgastric cancerindocyanine greenICGsurgeryD2 lymphadenectomysurgical conduct
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.