Glow-in-the-Dark dye could help surgeons spot hidden cancer cells
NCT ID NCT07460765
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 4 times
Summary
This early-stage trial tests a fluorescent dye attached to the cancer drug nivolumab. The dye is meant to make cancer cells glow during surgery, helping surgeons remove them more precisely. The study will enroll 40 people with head and neck cancer who are already scheduled for surgery. The main goal is to check if the dye is safe.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- nivolumab with a fluorescent dye (IRDye800CW)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help surgeons see cancer cells more clearly during surgery, potentially leading to more complete tumor removal.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early phase 1 safety study with only 40 people. The dye may not work as hoped, and there could be side effects from the drug or the dye.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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?
- Can a Two-Target antibody shrink Hard-to-Treat cancers?
- Can a quick neck adjustment change deep headache muscles?
- New drug combo aims to shrink oral cancers before surgery
- Modified herpes virus joins forces with immunotherapy to attack head and neck tumors