Could a simple dye and camera detect mouth cancer early?
NCT ID NCT01269190
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 5 times
Summary
This study tests whether a special camera and a fluorescent dye called proflavine can help doctors see abnormal cells in the mouth. Researchers will take images of mouth lesions from 275 adults who are already scheduled for surgery. The goal is to see if this non-invasive method can tell the difference between normal tissue, pre-cancer, and cancer, potentially reducing the need for biopsies in the future.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Proflavine (a fluorescent dye applied to mouth tissue)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to a non-invasive way to detect oral pre-cancer and cancer during a routine exam, reducing the need for biopsies.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early feasibility study, so the imaging method may not be accurate enough to replace standard biopsy. The dye may also cause allergic reactions in some people.
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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
-
M D Anderson Cancer Center
RECRUITINGHouston, Texas, 77030, United States
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