Glow-in-the-Dark dye could help brain cancer surgery
NCT ID NCT01811121
First seen Nov 01, 2025 · Last updated Jun 20, 2026 · Updated 31 times
Summary
This study tested whether a fluorescent dye called 5-ALA, taken before surgery, helps surgeons remove more of a glioblastoma brain tumor compared to using standard computer navigation. 170 adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma were randomly assigned to receive either 5-ALA or a placebo before surgery. The main goal was to see if 5-ALA leads to complete tumor removal on MRI scans.
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the original study
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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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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Guyotat
Lyon, France
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 establish 5-ALA-guided surgery as a better standard for removing glioblastoma tumors, potentially improving survival and reducing recurrence.
What could go wrong
This is a completed phase 3 trial, but results are not yet widely adopted. The benefit may be modest, and 5-ALA can cause side effects like skin sensitivity. It is not a cure, as glioblastoma remains aggressive.
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.