OU Health Surgeons First in Oklahoma to Use ‘Glowing’ Imaging Agent for Lung Cancer Surgery

OU Health has become the first health system in Oklahoma to utilize an innovative new imaging agent that causes lung cancer cells to glow during surgery. This marks a significant advancement in lung cancer treatment for the state, with the potential to improve surgical outcomes and recovery times for patients.

The fluorescent imaging technology, called Cytalux, binds to cancerous tissue when administered prior to surgery, making it easier for surgeons to completely remove tumors while sparing healthy tissue.

"This technology allows us to visualize cancer that might otherwise be difficult to detect. For lung cancer patients, it means we can perform less invasive surgeries with more precision, potentially leading to faster recoveries and better outcomes,” said thoracic surgeon Dr. J. Matthew Reinersman, M.D., FACS, Chief of Section of Thoracic and Foregut Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

A 69-year-old patient, who had a small lung nodule discovered during imaging for a shoulder injury, underwent the procedure successfully in September 2024.

"His tumor was completely removed with negative margins, and no lymph nodes were involved. He is cancer-free and will not require any other treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation," Dr. Reinersman said.

More than 130,000 Americans die of lung cancer each year, making it the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Lung cancer is often diagnosed late, when it has already begun to spread. In Oklahoma, more than 3,200 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year, and nearly 16% of those patients will undergo surgery as a first course of treatment, according to the American Lung Association.

"This technology not only helps us with primary lung cancers but also with identifying spread of cancer from other sites to the lung," Dr. Reinersman added. "It's a game-changer for how we approach certain cancer surgeries."

On Target Laboratories, Inc., a privately held biotechnology company based in West Lafayette, Indiana received approval for Cytalux in November 2021 by The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in adult patients with ovarian cancer. In December 2022, the FDA expanded its approval to include use in adult patients with known or suspected lung cancer.

For more information, visit OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center or call (405) 451-3440.