Definition

A fluorescence imaging and contrast agent and immunoconjugate comprised of nimotuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), conjugated to the near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent dye IRDye 800CW, with potential imaging use. Upon administration of IRDye800CW-nimotuzumab, the nimotuzumab moiety targets and binds to the extracellular domain of EGFR. Upon binding, IRDye 800 may be detected using NIR imaging, which facilitates the visualization and detection of EGFR-expressing tumor cells. EGFR is a receptor tyrosine kinase that may be overexpressed on the cell surfaces of various tumor types.