UCHealth Employs Innovative Technology to Uncover Previously Missed Cancer Cells
Aurora, Colo. — Surgeons at UCHealth Anschutz Cancer Pavilion are pioneering the use of cutting-edge technology that allows them to identify cancer cells that traditional methods might overlook. This advancement promises to improve cancer detection and surgical outcomes for patients.
The breakthrough comes with the adoption of pafolacianine, marketed as CYTALUX—a novel molecule designed to bind specifically to cancer cells. Once bound, pafolacianine causes these cells to light up with fluorescent markers, facilitating their detection during surgery. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of this technology particularly for cancers in the lungs and ovaries.
How the Technology Works
Prior to surgery, patients receive an infusion of pafolacianine a few hours earlier. During the operation, surgeons utilize a combination of a robotic-assisted camera and near-infrared lighting to visualize the glowing cancer cells. This fluorescence technique highlights malignant tissue that might otherwise evade detection by standard imaging methods such as CT scans or even direct visual inspection.
Expert Insights
Dr. Robert Meguid, a specialist in surgeries involving the lungs, esophagus, and chest wall at UCHealth, emphasized the significance of this technology. “Pafolacianine is effective in flagging cancers that can be missed by CT scans and the naked eye,” he said. “It gives my surgical team more confidence that we are removing all cancerous tissue during an operation.”
Dr. Meguid noted the approach’s particular utility for patients whose cancers have metastasized to the lungs, enabling more precise surgical interventions.
“This is, to me, a really exciting time in healthcare," Dr. Meguid added. "Because there are so many advances making their way into patient care that improve outcomes and help patients be cancer-free or enjoy a better quality of life.”
A Trailblazer in Colorado
Currently, only a handful of medical centers across the nation have adopted pafolacianine technology. UCHealth Anschutz Cancer Pavilion has been utilizing it for approximately 18 months and holds the distinction of being the first center in Colorado to employ it in adult lung surgeries.
This innovative approach represents a promising leap forward in cancer treatment, potentially setting new standards for how surgeons detect and excise malignant cells.
For more information or to share your thoughts, you can contact Ryan Fish, Denver7’s health reporter covering technology and medical advances, via the Denver7 website.
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