cetuximab + benzoporphyrin derivative

Cetuximab combined with benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) is an experimental combination therapy being investigated for the treatment of disseminated malignancies, including peritoneal carcinomatosis and ovarian cancer. This approach, often referred to as photoimmunotherapy (PIT) or targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT), utilizes cetuximab (a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor, EGFR) to selectively deliver BPD (a second-generation photosensitizer also known as verteporfin) to EGFR-overexpressing cancer cells. Upon exposure to specific wavelengths of light, the benzoporphyrin derivative generates cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as singlet oxygen, which induce localized tumor cell death. The rationale for this combination is that EGFR inhibition by cetuximab can enhance the therapeutic index of PDT, as EGFR signaling is involved in cancer progression and resistance to PDT-mediated cytotoxicity. Research has been conducted at institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania and MD Anderson Cancer Center, with support from the National Cancer Institute.

Other names

cetuximab + verteporfincetuximab-BPDcetuximab-mediated photodynamic therapycetuximab-targeted photoimmunotherapy