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Cetuximab sarotalocan is an EGFR antibody carrying a light-activated dye: after infusion, a red laser is shone on the tumour and the cells burst. It has been approved in Japan since 2020.
Cetuximab sarotalocan is Rakuten Medical's photoimmunotherapy. It was approved in Japan (September 2020) for unresectable locally advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer with conditional approval; two global phase 3 trials in locally recurrent HNSCC continue without US approval to date. Also being studied in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
Ball-and-stick model from PubChem 2D record (no 3D conformer available). PubChem record
Cetuximab conjugated to IRDye700DX; 690 nm light triggers photochemical membrane damage in EGFR-bound cells and immunogenic cell death. Connects to EGFR.
1.Antibody-dye conjugate binds EGFR on tumour cells within 24 hours
Source: www.pmda.go.jp/english/. Doses are for orientation; the current label governs.
Not FDA-approved, so there is no US coverage; access is only through a clinical trial or an FDA expanded-access request. Approved in Japan only.
Not FDA-approved, so there is no US coverage; access is only through a clinical trial or an FDA expanded-access request.
Sources: CMS Medicare Coverage Database (NCDs and LCDs). Not medical or financial advice; verify with your plan.
Sources: NICE search: cetuximab sarotalocan. Funding decisions are indication-specific and change monthly; verify with NICE and your treating team.
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World-first approval of a photoimmunotherapy drug
| Region | Year | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | 2020 | Unresectable locally advanced or recurrent head and neck cancer (conditional) |
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Query for this drug: (TITLE:"Cetuximab sarotalocan" OR ABSTRACT:"Cetuximab sarotalocan" OR TITLE:"Akalux" OR ABSTRACT:"Akalux" OR TITLE:"ASP-1929" OR ABSTRACT:"ASP-1929" OR TITLE:"RM-1929" OR ABSTRACT:"RM-1929") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about Cetuximab sarotalocan, not a curated reading list.
Shares Rakuten Medical, Recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Shares Photoimmunotherapy & photodynamic therapy, Photodynamic therapy lasers and light sources.
Shares HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (including HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer), Recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, EGFR, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Shares Photoimmunotherapy & photodynamic therapy, Photodynamic therapy lasers and light sources, Devices and physical therapies roadmap: heat and light → electric fields and focused sound → drug-releasing implants.
Shares Photoimmunotherapy & photodynamic therapy, Devices and physical therapies roadmap: heat and light → electric fields and focused sound → drug-releasing implants, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Shares HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (including HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer), Recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Shares Photoimmunotherapy as an in situ vaccine with PD-1 blockade, HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (including HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer), Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Shares HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (including HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer), Recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, EGFR, Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.