Multimodal carcinoembryonic antigen-targeted fluorescence and radio-guided cytoreductive surgery for peritoneal metastases of colorectal origin: single-arm confirmatory trial

Abstract Background Selection of suitable candidates for intraoperative tumour detection and cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is important for improving outcomes for patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases. Previous research demonstrated the use of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), intraoperative radiodetection, and near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF)-guided surgery with a dual-labelled 111In-labelled dodecane tetra-acetic acid (DOTA)–labetuzumab-IRDye800CW tracer to detect peritoneal metastases before operation. The aim of this study was to validate these results. Methods A single-centre phase II study was conducted to evaluate the safety and feasibility of 111In-labelled DOTA–labetuzumab-IRDye800CW in patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases undergoing CRS-HIPEC. SPECT/computed tomography (CT) was undertaken before surgery, after intravenous administration of 10 mg 111In-labelled DOTA–labetuzumab-IRDye800CW (mean 101.25 MBq). During surgery, radiodetection and NIRF imaging were used for tumour detection. Adverse events were assessed, and tumour-to-background ratios (TBRs) and peritoneal cancer index scores were analysed. Results Seven patients were included. No study-related severe adverse events were reported. Imaging before surgery revealed previously undetected metastases in one patient. The mean(standard deviation, s.d.) SPECT/CT peritoneal cancer index score was 3(2), and the intraoperative score was 14(7) (P = 0.032). A total of 52 lesions were removed during CRS, of which 37 were malignant. With NIRF imaging, 34 (92%) of 37 malignant lesions were detectable. Of 52 fluorescent lesions, 4 were false-positive. Mean(s.d.) fluorescence TBR was 3.4(1.8) and mean radiodetection TBR was 4.4(1.4). Conclusion This study confirmed the safety and feasibility of multimodal image-guided surgery in patients with peritoneal metastases.