"5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery is an intraoperative technique that takes advantage of tumour cells accumulating a fluorescent compound to make the location of the tumour more readily apparent. It is primarily used in the resection of high-grade gliomas (e.g. glioblastoma, grade 3 or 4 astrocytomas) although it is also possible to use it in lower grade tumours 1,2."
"5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is given orally as a tablet (commercially known as Gliolan®), penetrates the blood brain barrier and is disproportionately absorbed by tumour cells. The amount absorbed is multifactorial, including a paucity of ferrochelatase, increased local permeability of the blood-brain barrier, tumour cell proliferative activity and neovascularity 1,2."
"Once inside the cell 5-ALA is converted to protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) which has the useful property of fluorescing red/pink when exposed to 405 nm blue light 1,2."
"5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery is an intraoperative technique that takes advantage of tumour cells accumulating a fluorescent compound to make the location of the tumour more readily apparent. It is primarily used in the resection of high-grade gliomas (e.g. glioblastoma, grade 3 or 4 astrocytomas) although it is also possible to use it in lower grade tumours 1,2."
Expected headings
"Pharmacology"
"Intraoperative use"