The uncontrolled and abnormal cell growth in the prostate is the main reason for cancer in men. It is a very common cancer in men as it affects almost 52300 men every year in the UK. It is very dangerous and needs proper treatment and more attention. But there are very few effective treatments available to treat this right now. But researchers from the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and the Department of Oncology at the University of Oxford, along with Oxford University Hospitals and Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Center, have found an effective treatment for prostate cancer. They have found a shining dye that sticks to cancer cells. It helped surgeons to remove them very easily during surgery. Â
This study was recently published in the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. In this study, researchers involved 23 men with prostate cancer. They used a marker dye and injected that into these men. This was done before their surgery. The combination of this dye and targeting molecule is known as IR800-IAB2M. They used a machine that shines a special light on the prostate and nearby areas to make cancer cells shine. Â
This method worked very effectively and helped surgeons to find cancer cells with their naked eye. They easily removed all cancer cells and that reduced the risk of cancer completely. On the other hand, they did not remove any healthy tissues as they could see them easily so they also reduced the risk of other side effects after surgery. Â
In this study, researchers found that this combination sticks to a protein known as Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA). It is usually present on the surface of prostate cancer. The smaller form of antibody known as minibody binds to PSMA only. It does not bind to any other healthy cell. So, it is a very effective method as it does not cause any side effects. This combination of dye and marker was developed by researchers from Oxford and ImaginAB Inc, California. Â
The marker dye is still in its early stages of clinical stages. But surgeons can use it to see the cancer cells when they remove them. This method is very effective as it helps surgeons to see cancer cells and remove them. It also helps them to keep cells healthy more than current surgery methods. So, surgeons should use this method as it can save many lives in the future. Â
Reference Link:Â Â
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (2024). Â
