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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
Fluorescence Molecular Tomography for In Vivo Imaging of Glioblastoma Xenografts
Published on: April 26, 2018
Fluorescence-guided resection of metastatic brain tumors using a 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX:
Satoshi Utsuki1, Norio Miyoshi, Hidehiro Oka
1Department of Neurosurgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 228-8555, Japan. utsuki@med.kitasato-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
We performed a pathological study to identify the locus of production of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) in human metastatic brain tumors. Patients with metastatic brain tumors (n = 11) received 1 g of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) perorally 2 h before undergoing surgery. The target region was exposed to laser light with a peak wavelength of 405 +/- 1 nm and an output of 40 mW. Tissue samples from the tumor bulk and surrounding areas were examined by histological and fluorescence methods. Of the 11 tumors, 9 manifested PPIX fluorescence in the tumor bulk and peritumoral brain tissue. Our findings indicate that PPIX fluorescence can be observed in peritumoral edematous areas that are free of neoplastic cells, because PPIX produced by neoplastic cells leaks into the surrounding edematous area.
