What is CYTALUX®?
CYTALUX is the first FDA-approved fluorescent imaging technology designed to help surgeons visualize lung cancer during surgery. By “lighting up” cancerous tissue in real time, CYTALUX enhances your surgeon’s ability to identify and remove cancerous lesions, even those that may be difficult to find with standard approaches.
How CYTALUX Works
- Administer: CYTALUX is given by intravenous infusion 1–24 hours before surgery as part of your preoperative care.
- Illuminate: The medication contains dye that lights up when viewed with a special camera during surgery (think of it as ink that only shows up under black light).
- Bind: CYTALUX uses a folic acid analog to bind to folate receptors found on lung cancer cells, helping your surgeon see cancerous tissue more clearly.
Benefits
- Finds Hidden Trouble Spots - In clinical trials, CYTALUX helped doctors spot areas of concern that standard methods missed
- Catches More Cancer - CYTALUX revealed extra cancerous areas that scans like CT missed – giving doctors a clearer picture.
- Helps Protect Healthy Tissue - CYTALUX helps surgeons identify a safe edge of healthy tissue around the cancer, which is important for recovery.
- Not Every Spot Is Cancer - CYTALUX helps detect non-cancerous cells