Glow-in-the-Dark drug could help brain cancer surgery
NCT ID NCT06417281
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This completed Phase III trial tested a drug called 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in 86 adults with malignant brain glioma. Patients took the drug orally before surgery, causing tumor cells to glow under a special light. This helps surgeons see and remove more cancerous tissue. The study focused on how accurately the glowing areas matched actual tumor cells.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could improve surgeons' ability to see and remove more tumor tissue during brain cancer surgery, potentially leading to better outcomes.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed Phase III trial with 86 participants, so results are limited in size. The approach only helps visualize tumor tissue and does not cure the disease. Risks include skin sensitivity to light and allergic reactions.
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
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Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
Shanghai, China
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.