Multicenter efficacy study of BLZ-100 tumor paint in pediatric tumors of the central nervous system

Summary:

Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer death in children. Complete resection greatly increases the chance of survival but often results in decreased quality of life. This is the phase II clinical efficacy study of BLZ-100 (Tumor Paint) conducted through the Pacific Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC). Tumor Paint is classified as an imaging agent, not a cancer therapeutic by the FDA. Tumor Paint is a tumor-binding molecule derived from scorpion venom and a fluorescent compound, indocyanine green, which has years of demonstrated safety. This molecule attaches to tumor tissue and allows the surgeon to distinguish the fluorescent tumor tissue from healthy tissue. Gateway funded the phase I safety study of tumor paint in which it was found to be safe in pediatric patients undergoing neurosurgical resection of brain and spinal cord tumors. Over 80% of the pediatric tumors treated with tumor paint were found to be fluorescent and distinguishable from healthy tissue.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03579602