near infrared photoimmunotherapy

Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a molecularly targeted cancer treatment platform that combines a monoclonal antibody conjugated to a photo-absorber (typically IRDye 700DX) with non-thermal near-infrared light. Developed primarily by Dr. Hisataka Kobayashi at the National Cancer Institute and licensed to Rakuten Medical, the therapy works by binding the antibody-photoabsorber conjugate (APC) to specific receptors on cancer cells. When activated by 690 nm NIR light, the conjugate undergoes a physical change that causes rapid cell membrane rupture and necrotic cell death. This immunogenic cell death releases tumor antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which stimulate a local and systemic anti-tumor immune response. The lead clinical candidate, cetuximab sarotalocan (ASP-1929), targets EGFR and is currently in global Phase 3 trials for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, having already received conditional approval in Japan.

Brand names

Akalux

Other names

PhotoimmunotherapyPIT