NCIt definition : A synthetic light-activated chlorin with photodynamic activity. Upon systemic administration,
temoporfin distributes throughout the body and is taken up by tumor cells. Upon stimulation
of temoporfin by non-thermal laser light (at 652 nm), and in the presence of oxygen,
this agent produces highly reactive short-lived singlet oxygen and other reactive
oxygen radicals, resulting in local damage to tumor cells. This may kill tumor cells
and may reduce the tumor size.;
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: An anticancer drug that is also used in cancer prevention. It belongs to
the family of drugs called photosensitizing agents.;
Semantic type(s)