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.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

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

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Vanderbilt University/Ingram Cancer Center

    RECRUITING

    Nashville, Tennessee, 37203, United States

    Contact

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-••••