pafolacianine

Pafolacianine is a fluorescent optical imaging agent used as an adjunct during surgery to identify malignant lesions in adult patients with ovarian cancer and lung cancer. It consists of folic acid linked to an indocyanine green-related near-infrared dye (SO456). Pafolacianine specifically targets the folate receptor alpha (FRα), which is often overexpressed in various cancers, including ovarian and lung cancers. Upon binding to FRα-expressing cells, it is internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis and accumulates in tumor tissue. When exposed to near-infrared light, pafolacianine emits fluorescence that enables surgeons using specialized imaging systems to visualize otherwise undetectable cancerous lesions intraoperatively. The drug was developed by scientists at Purdue University and licensed to On Target Laboratories.

Brand names

Cytalux

Other names

pafolacianinepteroyl-L-tyrosine-S0456pteroyl-L-tyrosine-S-0456pteroyl-L-tyrosine-S 0456