Researchers Make Tumors Glow in the Dark

Researchers at Vanderbilt and Cornell universities have developed an interesting way to help physicians identify potentially malignant cells in vivo. Called targeted fluorescence imaging, the method uses fluorescent markers attached to cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). As COX-2 is not normally expressed in healthy tissue, the markers take up residence in sites of inflammation and neoplasia. Fluorescence imaging may one day help doctors to identify cancerous growth at an earlier stage, and could help surgeons visualize tumor margins during resection.
Vanderbilt press release: Fluorescent Compounds Make Tumors Glow…
Abstract in Cancer Research: Selective Visualization of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Inflammation and Cancer by Targeted Fluorescent Imaging Agents