Tumour-specific preoperative and intraoperative imaging with targeted molecular probes holds great promise in cancer surgery. Improved ability to define the distribution of cancer at the time of surgery would better help define the extent and adequacy of resection, while minimising excision of healthy tissue.

Other benefits include intraoperative staging and the guidance of adjuvant treatments. Successful application of intraoperative targeted molecular imaging to cancer surgery has the potential to translate into improved local control and survival, while reducing the impact of curative interventions. We aim to help the translation of imaging technologies developed at The Institute of Cancer Research to the clinic and bedside.