A study looking at a fluorescent substance called EMI-137 to help doctors see bowel cancer during surgery

The research team found that EMI-137 can help surgeons see areas of bowel cancer in some people.

Study design
A total of 9 people with colon cancer joined this study. They were between 67 and 77 years old and due to have surgery. 

They all had EMI-137 as a drip into a vein a few hours before their operation.

The surgeons then used a fluorescent light to look for cancer cells during surgery. 

Results
The surgeon could see cancer cells under the fluorescent light in 4 out of 9 people. It was less clear in the other 5 people.

They also looked at the cells in the laboratory. They found that EMI-137 binds to a protein called c-Met. There is often much more of the c-Met protein than usual in bowel (colorectal) cancer cells. It can help the cancer grow and spread.

No one taking part had and side effects from the EMI-137 injection.

Conclusion
The research team concluded that EMI-137 could help surgeons see areas of cancer in some people. They suggest more work is done to find out more about it and the best way to use it.

Where this information comes from    
We have based this summary on information from the research team. The information they sent us has been reviewed by independent specialists (peer reviewed ) and published in a medical journal. The figures we quote above were provided by the trial team who did the research. We have not analysed the data ourselves.