A chemical conjugate composed of the dye IR700 linked to cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon injection, the cetuximab moiety targets and binds to EGFR-expressing tumor cells, resulting in the internalization of the conjugate. Upon localized application of near-infrared (NIR) light, the IR700 dye becomes activated, disrupts the cell membrane and selectively kills the EGFR-expressing tumor cells. EGFR, a tyrosine kinase receptor, is overexpressed in a variety of cancers. Check for active clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
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