Hexaminolevulinate is an optical imaging agent used to perform Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC™) in order to detect carcinoma of the bladder. In solution form it is instilled intravesically for use with photodynamic blue light cystoscopy as an adjunct to white light cystoscopy.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Hexaminolevulinate is an ester of the heme precursor, aminolevulinic acid. After bladder instillation, hexaminolevulinate enters the bladder mucosa and is proposed to enter the intracellular space of mucosal cells where it is used as a precursor in the formation of the photoactive intermediate protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and other photoactive porphyrins (PAPs). PpIX and PAPs are reported to accumulate preferentially in neoplastic cells as compared to normal urothelium, partly due to altered enzymatic activity in the neoplastic cells. After excitation with light at wavelengths between 360 and 450 nm, PpIX and other PAPs return to a lower energy level by fluorescing, which can be detected and used for cystoscopic detection of lesions. The fluorescence from tumor tissue appears bright red and demarcated, whereas the background normal tissue appears dark blue. Similar processes may occur in inflamed cells.
- Primary indication
- Hexaminolevulinate is indicated for use in the cystoscopic detection of non-muscle invasive papillary cancer of the bladder among patients suspected or known to have lesion(s) on the basis of a prior cystoscopy.Curator reviewed · 2 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C11H21NO3 · 215.293 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2022 · United States, 2010
- Code names
- P-1026
- Brand names
Resolves to
RYQOILLJDKPETL-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILES[H]N([H])CC(=O)CCC(=O)OCCCCCCWhat you can answer from here — as of September 13, 2026
Which other approved drugs treat the same conditions as Hexaminolevulinate, and which companies have late-stage candidates in those indications?
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