Glow-in-the-Dark dye could help surgeons spot brain tumors
NCT ID NCT05746104
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-stage trial is testing whether a single low-dose injection of indocyanine green (ICG), a dye already approved for other uses, can help surgeons identify and remove brain or spinal cord tumors more precisely. About 105 adults with nervous system tumors will receive the dye on the day of surgery, and a special camera will be used to see if the tumor 'glows' compared to healthy tissue. The goal is to see if this same-day approach is safe and effective at guiding tumor removal.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Indocyanine green (ICG), an FDA-approved dye
What this could lead to
If successful, this could give surgeons a real-time tool to better distinguish tumor from normal brain tissue during surgery, potentially improving how completely tumors are removed.
What could go wrong
This is an early Phase 1 trial with only 105 participants, so results are preliminary. The dye may not reliably highlight all tumor types, and the imaging system might not work well in all patients.
Disclaimer
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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.
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.
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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
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Locations
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Pennsylvania Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States