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| Formula | C29H32N11O12S99mTc |
| Molar mass | 855.595g/mol |
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Technetium (99mTc) etarfolatide is an investigational non-invasive, folate receptor-targeting companion imaging agent that is being developed by Endocyte. [1] Etarfolatide consists of a small molecule targeting the folate receptor and an imaging agent, which is based on technetium-99m. This companion imaging agent identifies cells expressing the folate receptor, including cancer and inflammatory cells. [2]
Etarfolatide is currently being investigated together with the corresponding small molecule drug conjugate (SMDC) vintafolide in a Phase 3 study in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and in a Phase 2b study in non-small cell lung cancer. It identifies patients with metastases that are positive for the folate receptor and therefore more likely to respond to treatment with vintafolide. [1] [2] Other folate receptor targeting SMDCs for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory diseases and kidney disease are in preclinical development and will also utilize etarfolatide as companion imaging agent. [3] [4]
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is reviewing the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) filings for both vintafolide and etarfolatide, for the treatment of patients with folate receptor-positive platinum-resistant ovarian cancer in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD). [5]