A label-free nanoplasmonic biosensor for intraoperative discrimination of tumor margins in brain metastases surgery

To assess the feasibility and diagnostic performance of a nanostructured plasmonic biosensor for margin assessment in brain metastases surgery.

Study Design: A prospective multicenter study was conducted with patients having newly diagnosed brain metastases eligible for surgical treatment.
Patient Selection: Inclusion criteria included adults ≥ 18 years, newly diagnosed brain metastases, and histopathological confirmation.
Data Collection: Clinical and radiological data were collected, including patient demographics and tumor characteristics.
Tissue Sampling: Tumor and adjacent peritumoral tissue specimens were collected intraoperatively following a standardized protocol.
Biosensor Operation: The biosensor utilized a gold film with a square array of circular nanoholes to detect refractive index changes in tissue.

The biosensor demonstrated high sensitivity in distinguishing glioblastoma from peritumoral brain tissue.
The technology provides real-time assessment of tumor margins without the need for fluorescent agents.

The EOT-based biosensor may offer valuable information regarding the tumor–brain interface during surgery.

The study was limited to specific hospitals and may not be generalizable to all surgical settings.
Further validation in larger cohorts is necessary to confirm findings.

The study suggests that the nanoplasmonic biosensor could enhance intraoperative margin assessment in brain metastases surgery.