Glow-in-the-Dark dye could help surgeons see hidden cancer during surgery

NCT ID NCT05945875

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early-stage trial is testing whether a combination of two imaging agents can help surgeons better detect and remove head and neck cancer. One agent uses a radioactive label for pre-surgery scans, and the other uses a fluorescent dye that makes cancer cells glow during surgery. The study involves 40 adults with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are already scheduled for surgery. The main goal is to check safety and see how well the imaging finds cancer at the edges of removed tissue.

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 and Indium In 111 Panitumumab
What this could lead to
If successful, this imaging approach could help surgeons remove head and neck cancer more completely, reducing the chance of leftover cancer cells.
What could go wrong
This is an early phase 1 trial with only 40 people, so it is mainly checking safety and feasibility. The imaging may not work as well in all patients or cancer types.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

head and neck squamous cell carcinoma Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Vanderbilt University/Ingram Cancer Center

    RECRUITING

    Nashville, Tennessee, 37203, United States

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