In short
Currently, there is 1 ongoing clinical trial exploring new ways to improve surgical treatment for tongue cancer. This trial is investigating a fluorescent imaging technique that may help surgeons visualize cancer cells more clearly during operations. The trial is being conducted in the Netherlands and includes patients with early-stage tongue cancer who are scheduled for surgical removal of their tumor.
Clinical trial locations
- Netherlands
Study on Using EMI-137 for Intraoperative Visualization in Patients with Penile and Tongue Cancer
This clinical trial is testing a novel approach to help surgeons see cancer cells more clearly during surgery. The study focuses on patients with tongue cancer (as well as penile cancer) and uses a special medication called EMI-137 to make cancer cells light up under a special surgical light.
Main inclusion criteria:
- Patients must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a diagnosis of T1 squamous cell cancer of the tongue (T1 means the cancer is in its early stage and has not spread deeply)
- Must be scheduled for surgery to remove the main tumor
- Must provide written informed consent before participating
Main exclusion criteria:
- Individuals who do not have tongue carcinoma (or penile carcinoma, as this trial covers both types)
- Patients outside the specified age range
- Individuals considered part of vulnerable populations, such as those unable to provide informed consent
Focus and goals of the trial:
The main purpose of this study is to determine whether EMI-137 can help surgeons better identify cancer tissue during surgery. The medication works by attaching to a specific protein called the c-Met receptor, which is commonly found on cancer cells. When EMI-137 binds to these cells, it causes them to glow under special fluorescent imaging equipment used in the operating room.
During the surgical procedure, doctors will use this fluorescent imaging technique to visualize the tumor and potentially affected lymph nodes. The glowing effect helps surgeons see exactly where the cancer is located, which may lead to more complete removal of cancerous tissue. The study will also evaluate whether this technique can detect cancer that has spread to nearby lymph nodes or identify early precancerous changes in tissue.
After surgery, researchers will compare the fluorescent imaging results with traditional laboratory methods to assess how well the technique performed in identifying cancerous tissue.
Investigational drug:
The medication being tested is EMI-137, also referred to as a Fluorescent C-Met Tracer. It is provided as a powder that is mixed and then administered directly into a vein through an intravenous injection or infusion. EMI-137 is an imaging agent rather than a traditional cancer treatment. It does not kill cancer cells but instead helps surgeons see them more clearly by causing them to fluoresce (glow) under special lighting during the operation.
Summary
Currently, only one clinical trial is available for patients with tongue cancer at an unspecified stage. This trial is being conducted in the Netherlands and represents an innovative approach to cancer surgery by incorporating fluorescent imaging technology. The study focuses specifically on early-stage (T1) squamous cell cancer of the tongue and aims to improve surgical outcomes by helping surgeons visualize cancer tissue more accurately during operations.
The trial uses EMI-137, a fluorescent imaging agent that targets the c-Met receptor commonly found on cancer cells. This is a diagnostic tool rather than a therapeutic drug, meaning it is designed to help with detection rather than treatment of the cancer itself. The approach may be particularly valuable for ensuring complete removal of cancerous tissue during surgery and for detecting cancer spread to lymph nodes.
Patients interested in this trial should discuss eligibility with their healthcare provider, particularly if they have early-stage tongue cancer and are already scheduled for surgical treatment.
