Marketed as Cytalux.
This is an imaging drug that can help surgeons identify ovarian cancer at surgery.
A fluorescent imaging agent administered intravenously as little as an hour before surgery.
It binds to folate receptors, which often are over expressed in ovarian cancer.
Under fluorescent lighting, the drug illuminates cancerous tissue, and a near infrared fluorescent imaging system is available to use with powerful pafolacianine,
It may be associated with false positive and negative findings.
Common adverse events: infusion reactions with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, chest discomfort and hypersensitivity.
Patients should avoid taking folic acid or its derivatives within 48 hours of surgery.