Glioblastoma (GBM) s the most common primary brain tumour in adults and one of the most aggressive and lethal tumours. The standard treatment today is surgery ollowed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide. GBM is a very invasive tumour, which makes complete resection difficult. The most problematic region, from a surgical point of view, is the area around the margins of the tumour.

Fotoglass, together with IDIVAL, HUMV, the University of Cantabria and the biotechnology company FOTOGLASS, has patented two new devices based on plasmonic technology - plasmonic chip - for the discrimination of the different tumour regionsspecially designed for GBM, in real timeSpecifically, the devices allow real-time identification of necrotic, tumour and peritumour tissue.

The devices allow for tumour determinations that do not require patient preparation. They also allow real-time information to be obtained during surgery, which can be easily interpreted and will assist the surgeon in decision-making. The devices can also be easily incorporated into the normal working dynamics of the operating theatre.

The multidisciplinary team responsible for this new advance is made up of the Cell Signalling and Therapeutic Targets in Cancer Group of IDIVAL, the optics group of the University of Cantabria and the Neurosurgery Service of the Marqués de Valdecilla Hospital. The Cantabrian company FOTOGLASS, specialised in biomedical optics, is also participating in this device. FOTOGLASS is a spin-off of the University of Cantabria and a collaborator of IDIVAL.

These new surgical instruments are a clear demonstration of how he combination of capabilities in neurosurgery, optics and biomedicine is a good formula for success. It also shows how the efforts in technology transfer made by these institutions are bearing fruit.

The team is already in contact with a multinational company specialising in surgical equipment, which has expressed interest in the devices.