99mTc-tilmanocept: A novel molecular agent for lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node localization

Abstract

Preoperative lymphatic mapping in conjunction with intraoperative γ-probe detection is widely used for sentinel node localization in melanoma, breast cancer, and other malignancies. 99mTc-radiocolloids have been the standard radiotracers used for sentinel node mapping. 99mTc-tilmanocept is a receptorbinding molecular imaging agent approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for lymphatic mapping and lymph node localization in breast cancer, melanoma, clinically nodenegative squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, and other solid tumors. It has several advantages over conventional radiocolloids, including rapid injection site clearance, high sentinel node extraction, and low distal node accumulation, which can lead to efficient resource use.