Despite numerous advances in our understanding and treatment of cancer, total tumor removal during surgery remains a tricky endeavor. It can be difficult for surgeons to determine where tumor tissue begins and ends. In many cases this is solved by removing additional tissue to ensure that no part of the tumor remains, but when it comes to cancerous tissue in the brain, removal of extra, healthy tissue can be detrimental to the patient.

1. Tumor Paint – A New Look For Brain Tumor Removal
By Wayne Adams
January 9, 2014
Despite numerous advances in our understanding and treatment of cancer, total tumor removal
during surgery remains a tricky endeavor. It can be difficult for surgeons to determine where
tumor tissue begins and ends. In many cases this is solved by removing additional tissue to
ensure that no part of the tumor
remains, but when it comes to
cancerous tissue in the brain, removal of
extra, healthy tissue can be detrimental
to the patient. Currently, integrated MRI
and/or CT remain the best options to
ensure total tumor removal during brain
surgery but these methods are not fool
proof; cancerous and healthy cells may
be easy to differentiate on a scan, but
they look very similar during the
operation.
In an effort to remove the guesswork from tumor removal, Dr. Jim Olson and Dr. Rich
Ellenbogen worked together to develop Tumor Paint. According to a CNN Health report by
Jacque Wilson, Dr. Jim Olson referred to research being done by a scientist at the University of
Alabama at Birmingham who was using venom from an Israeli Deathstalker scorpion to target
brain tumors – the venom binds to cancerous cells without affecting healthy ones.
Olson and team were able to identify a peptide in the scorpion venom which was used to produce
Tumor Paint. Tumor Paint is composed of the peptide-based scorpion toxin and near infrared
fluorescent molecules. Tumor Paint causes cancer cells to light up, and as reported by Wilson, it
is 500 times more sensitive than an MRI, and can not only be used for brain cancer, but also for
breast, skin, prostate, and colon cancers.
With human clinical trials beginning as early as this month in Australia, the approval of Tumor
Paint and other pharmaceuticals of this nature could and will forever alter the way medicine is
practiced by providing surgeons with innovative tools to light the way. This will allow
physicians (and patients) the peace of mind knowing that their brain tumor patient will not wake
up with an altered mental status due to the removal of health brain tissue.
About the Analyst
Wayne Adams, BS, R.T. (R), Clinical Analyst
Wayne joined MD Buyline’s as part of the Consumables Team in May 2011. Working as a
Radiologic Technologist since 1993, Wayne has over 18 years of experience in the cardiac cath

2. lab/peripheral vascular field. He graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a
BS in Radiologic Technology. He is registered with the American Registry of Radiologic
Technologists and a member of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists.
For more information on how MD Buyline helps hospitals and health systems through medical
device research and analysis, visit http://www.mdbuyline.com