Fluorescein-guided removal of high-grade gliomas with a dedicated filter on the surgical microscope: preliminary results of the FLUOGLIO study

BACKGROUND: Fluorescein is a fluorescent tracer that can be used for many applications. It is able to accumulate in brain areas with blood-brain barrier disruption, and thus it can be considered an ideal dye for intraoperative visualization of high-grade gliomas (HGG). We report the preliminary results of a phase II trail (FLUOGLIO) on a new fluorescein-guided technique to remove HHG with a dedicated filter on the surgical microscope. METHODS: In September 2011 we started a prospective phase II-trial (FLUOGLIO) to evaluated safety and obtain initial indications about efficacy of fluorescein-guided surgery for HGG. Patients with suspected HGG amenable to complete resection of contrast-enhancing area were eligible to participate in this study. This report is based on the analysis of the short- and long-term results in 28 consecutive patients with HGG (age range 45-74 years), enrolled since September 2011. Fluorescein was intravenous (i.v.) injected after intubation (5-10 mg/Kg). Tumor was removed with microsurgical technique and fluorescence visualization by BLU400 or YELLOW560 filters on Pentero microscope (Carl Zeiss, Germany). The study was approved by our Ethical Committee and registered on the European Regulatory Authorities website (EudraCT No. 2011-002527-18). RESULTS: Median pre-operative tumor volume was 33.1 cm3 (2.4-87.8 cm3). We found no adverse reaction to fluorescein administration. Tumor was completely removed in 80% of the patients. Median follow-up was 10 months. 6 months Progression-free Survival (PFS) and median survival were respectively 71.4 % and 11 months. CONCLUSION: Our analysis suggested that fluorescein-guided technique with a dedicated filter on the surgical microscope is safe and allows high-rate of complete resection of contrast-enhanced tumor at the early post-operative MRI.