Cytalux
Cytalux (pafolacianine) is an imaging agent used during surgery to help detect ovarian cancer and lung cancer tumors in adults. It’s given as an infusion through the vein before surgery. The agent works by attaching to cancer cells and makes them “light up”, so surgeons can see them with special imaging equipment. This helps find cancer that might be missed by the naked eye. Common side effects include nausea and vomiting.
What is Cytalux (pafolacianine)?
What is Cytalux (pafolacianine) used for?
To help surgeons detect areas with:
How Cytalux (pafolacianine) works
Cytalux (pafolacianine) is an optical imaging agent. It works by attaching folate receptors, which are proteins found at higher amounts on cancer cells. After the agent enters the cell, it absorbs light and gives off a fluorescence glow. This “light up” effect makes cancer cells easier to find and remove during surgery.
Drug facts
Side effects of Cytalux (pafolacianine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nausea (13%)
- Vomiting (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Stomach pain
- Flushing
- Allergic reaction
- Rise in blood pressure
- Indigestion
- Chest discomfort
Cytalux (pafolacianine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Infusion-related reactions: nausea, vomiting, chest discomfort, upset stomach, feeling itchy, trouble breathing, feeling flushed
The following Cytalux (pafolacianine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Infusion reactions—chest pain, shortness of breath or trouble breathing, feeling faint or lightheaded
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Flushing
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Upset stomach
- Vomiting
Pros and cons of Cytalux (pafolacianine)
Pros
- Helps detect hidden or hard-to-see cancer cells
- Approved for both ovarian and lung cancer tumors
- Given as a single dose before surgery
Cons
- Commonly causes infusion-related reactions
- Only given in centers with specific imaging equipment
- Risk of false positives and false negatives
Pharmacist tips for Cytalux (pafolacianine)
- You’ll get Cytalux (pafolacianine) as an infusion through a vein over 60 minutes. It’s typically given 1 to 24 hours before surgery, depending on the cancer that’s being detected.
- Avoid taking folic acid or folate supplements within 48 hours before your Cytalux (pafolacianine) infusion. This medication targets folate receptors, and extra folate could make it work less well.
- Cytalux (pafolacianine) can cause infusion-related reactions. Your care team might give you antihistamines or antinausea medications to lower this risk. Be sure to report side effects like nausea, vomiting, chest discomfort, or stomach pain.
- You might have to take a pregnancy test to confirm that you aren’t pregnant before receiving Cytalux (pafolacianine). This is because the medication might cause harm to an unborn baby.
Common questions about Cytalux (pafolacianine)
No, Cytalux (pafolacianine) isn’t chemotherapy. Chemotherapy works by killing fast-growing cells in your body, including cancer cells. Cytalux (pafolacianine) is an imaging agent that makes cancer cells “light up,” so your surgeon can see them more clearly during surgery.
Cytalux (pafolacianine) was approved by the FDA in November 2021 to help surgeons find ovarian cancer tumors during surgery. In December 2022, it received additional approval for use in locating lung cancer tumors.
Cytalux (pafolacianine) is made by On Target Laboratories.
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Risks and warnings for Cytalux (pafolacianine)
Cytalux (pafolacianine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Infusion-related reactions
Some people have infusion-related reactions while receiving Cytalux (pafolacianine). These can include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, flushing, allergic reactions, indigestion, and chest discomfort. Usually, these reactions happened within the first 15 minutes of starting the infusion.
To help prevent serious reactions, your care team might give you antihistamines or antinausea medications before the infusion. If you do have a reaction, your care team might slow down or stop the infusion and treat your symptoms. If your reaction is mild, they might restart the infusion once you feel better.
Risk of mistaking results
Cytalux (pafolacianine) helps your surgeon see cancer during surgery. But there’s always a chance that it might mark healthy tissue as cancerous (false positive) or miss cancer that’s there (false negative). If you’re worried about this risk, talk with your surgeon.
Harm to unborn babies
Cytalux (pafolacianine) might harm an unborn baby. Your care team will give you a pregnancy test before treatment to make sure it’s safe for you to receive this medication.
Cytalux (pafolacianine) dosage
Typical dosage for Cytalux (pafolacianine)
The dose of Cytalux (pafolacianine) is based on your body weight. Your care team will calculate your exact dose and decide when to give it, depending on your cancer:
- Ovarian cancer: The typical dose is 0.025 mg/kg given as an infusion through the vein, between 1 hour to 9 hours before surgery.
- Lung cancer: The typical dose is 0.025 mg/kg given as an infusion through the vein, between 1 hour to 24 hours before surgery.