Glow-in-the-Dark dye could help surgeons spot hidden cancer
NCT ID NCT06819228
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 04, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This early-phase trial tests a fluorescent dye attached to the cancer drug panitumumab to help surgeons see head and neck cancer during surgery. 18 adults with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma will receive the dye before surgery, and a special camera will highlight cancer tissue. The goal is to find the best dose for imaging and to improve tumor removal.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Panitumumab-IRDye800 (a fluorescently labeled version of the drug panitumumab)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could help surgeons remove more cancer tissue during surgery and find the right drug dose for future treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study (18 people) focused on imaging and dosing, not treatment effectiveness. The dye is investigational and may not improve outcomes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for HNSCC are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
RECRUITINGNashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can a One-Two punch of radiation and immunotherapy shrink head and neck tumors before surgery?
- Can a glowing drug light up head and neck tumors?
- Glowing cancer cells: a new way to see tumors during surgery?
- Can a Two-Target antibody shrink Hard-to-Treat cancers?
- New drug combo aims to shrink oral cancers before surgery
- Modified herpes virus joins forces with immunotherapy to attack head and neck tumors