Fluorescence-guided resections of malignant gliomas--an overview
- Resource Type
- Authors
- W, Stummer; H J, Reulen; A, Novotny; H, Stepp; J C, Tonn
- Source
- Acta neurochirurgica. Supplement. 88
- Subject
- Microsurgery
Neoplasm, Residual
Neovascularization, Pathologic
Brain Neoplasms
Biopsy
Brain
Protoporphyrins
Aminolevulinic Acid
Glioma
Prognosis
Sensitivity and Specificity
Fluorescence
Survival Rate
Ki-67 Antigen
Postoperative Complications
Blood-Brain Barrier
Germany
Humans
Cell Division
- Language
- ISSN
- 0065-1419
Radical resections of contrast-enhancing tumour in patients with malignant gliomas may be pertinent for survival but are often difficult to achieve due to uncertainties in distinguishing tumour margins intra-operatively. In this respect a number of novel methods are being examined which aim at enhancing resections. Among these methods, resections that exploit the accumulation of fluorescent porphyrins within malignant glioma tissue in response to exogenous administration of a metabolic percursor, 5-aminolevulinic acid, may offer particular advantages. This article summarises the clinical background and current status of 5-ALA drug development for fluorescence-guided resections of malignant gliomas and analyses the available literature with regard to possible mechanisms that govern the highly specific accumulation of fluorescent porphyrins in malignant glioma tissue in response to 5-ALA administration.