Novel Dual Tracer Indocyanine Green and Radioisotope Versus Gold Standard Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer: The GREENORBLUE Trial

Background The methods for sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in breast cancer have been variable in type and number of tracers. Some units have abandoned the use of blue dye (BD) due to adverse reactions. Fluorescence-guided biopsy with indocyanine green (ICG) is a relatively novel technique. This study compared the clinical efficacy and costs between novel dual tracer ICG and radioisotope (ICG-RI) with “gold standard” BD and radioisotope (BD-RI). Methods Single-surgeon study of 150 prospective patients with early breast cancer undergoing SLN biopsy (2021-2022) using ICG-RI compared with a retrospective cohort of 150 consecutive previous patients using BD-RI. Number of SLNs identified, rate of failed mapping, identification of metastatic SLNs, and adverse reactions were compared between techniques. Cost-minimisation analysis performed by using Medicare item numbers and micro-costing analysis. Results Total number of SLNs identified with ICG-RI and BD-RI was 351 and 315, respectively. Mean number of SLNs identified with ICG-RI and BD-RI was 2.3 (standard deviation [SD] 1.4) and 2.1 (SD 1.1), respectively ( p = 0.156). There were no cases of failed mapping with either dual technique. Metastatic SLNs were identified in 38 (25.3%) ICG-RI patients compared with 30 (20%) BD-RI patients ( p = 0.641). There were no adverse reactions to ICG, whereas four cases of skin tattooing and anaphylaxis were associated with BD ( p = 0.131). ICG-RI cost an additional AU$197.38 per case in addition to the initial cost for the imaging system. Clinical trial registration: ACTRN12621001033831. Conclusions Novel tracer combination, ICG-RI, provided an effective and safe alternative to “gold standard” dual tracer. The caveat was the significantly greater costs associated with ICG.