A new fluorescenttargeting tracer contrasts dual tracers in sentinel lymph node biopsy of breast cancer

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the clinical application value of indocyanine green (ICG)–rituximab in sentinel lymph node biopsy. Methods: This study included 156 patients with primary breast cancer: 50 patients were enrolled in dose-climbing test, and 106 patients were enrolled in verification test. This was to compare the consistency of ICG–rituximab and combined method in the detected lymph nodes. Results: According to the verification test, the imaging rate of ICG–rituximab was 97.3%. Compared with the combined method, the concordance rate of fluorescence method was 0.991 (28 + 78/107; p < 0.001). Conclusion: For ICG–rituximab as a fluorescent targeting tracer, the optimal imaging dose of ICG 93.75 μg/rituximab 375 μg can significantly reduce the imaging of secondary lymph nodes. Compared with the combined method, it has a higher concordance rate.