Method for detecting a gd2 positive cancer

The GD2-specific fluorescent agent for use of any preceding claim, wherein administering the GD2-specific fluorescent agent is commenced 4 days prior to detecting the GD2 positive tumour.

The GD2-specific fluorescent agent for use of any preceding claim, wherein the ex vivo tumor to background ratio (TBR) of the fluorescence signal is at least 2.0.

The GD2-specific fluorescent agent for use of any preceding claim, wherein the sensitivity of the GD2-specific fluorescent agent for the detection of GD2-expressing tumor cells, typically GD2-expressing vital tumor cells, is at least 0.1, at least 0.2, at least 0.3, at least 0.4, at least 0.5, at least 0.6, at least 0.65, at least 0.7, at least 0.75, at least 0.8, at least 0.85, at least 0.9, or at least 0.95.

The GD2-specific fluorescent agent for use of any preceding claim, wherein the specificity of the GD2-specific fluorescent agent for the detection of GD2-expressing tumor cells, typically GD2-expressing vital tumor cells, is at least 0.5, at least 0.6, at least 0.65, at least 0.7, at least 0.75, at least 0.8, at least 0.85, at least 0.9, at least 0.95, at least 0.96, or at least 0.97, at least 0.98, or at least 0.99.

The GD2-specific fluorescent agent for use of any preceding claim, wherein the positive predictive value of the GD2-specific fluorescent agent for the detection of GD2-expressing tumor cells, typically GD2-expressing vital tumor cells, is at least 0.5, at least 0.6, at least 0.65, at least 0.7, at least 0.75, at least 0.8, at least 0.85, at least 0.9, at least 0.95, at least 0.96, or at least 0.97, at least 0.98, or at least 0.99.

The GD2-specific fluorescent agent for use of any preceding claim, wherein the ch14.18 antibody is dinutuximab beta.

The GD2-specific fluorescent agent for use of any preceding claim, wherein the ch14.18 antibody is conjugated to the IRDye800CW by an amide bond.

The GD2-specific fluorescent agent for use of any preceding claim, wherein the patient has neuroblastoma, such as high risk neuroblastoma, intermediate risk neuroblastoma or low risk neuroblastoma;

• or wherein the patient has melanoma, a bone or soft-tissue sarcoma, small-cell lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, a brain tumor, Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, breast cancer, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, or retinoblastoma.

The GD2-specific fluorescent agent for use of any preceding claim, wherein detecting the neuroblastoma comprises imaging the GD2 positive tumour.

A method of imaging a GD2 positive tumour, the method comprising exposing the GD2 positive tumour to NIR light and detecting the fluorescence emission from the GD2 positive tumour,

• wherein the patient has previously been administered a GD2-specific fluorescent agent in a dose of from 1 to 20 mg/m2 body surface area commencing between 1 day and 7 days prior to imaging of the GD2 positive tumour;
• and wherein the GD2-specific fluorescent agent comprises a conjugate of a near-infrared fluorescent dye IRDye800CW and a ch14.18 antibody.