Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT, molecular radiotherapy, targeted radiotherapy, radiotheranostics) is a rapidly developing area with important and recent brakethroughs. It aims for treating metastatic/disseminated cancer, the main clinical challenge in oncology. TRT is based on a personalised patient selection using functional imaging to verify the presence of a biologic target either on the cancer cell surface or the vascular and/or stromal elements of metastases. The only approved (2013) alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical as of today is Xofigo (223Ra). The recent approval of beta-emitting 177Lu-DOTATATE (Lutathera) for somatostatin receptor positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours and 177Lu-PSMA-617 (Pluctivo) for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) will clearly shift TRT into the mainstream of cancer treatment. Many preclinical and clinical trials have demonstrated that alpha-particle-emitting radiopharmaceuticals due to physical properties, high linear energy transfer and short range in tissue relative to beta-emissions, are emerging as a promising approach for cancer treatment.
The goal of this special issue is to describe the present clinical status, recent developments, challenges and future of targeted alpha-particle therapy (TAT). The development of novel alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals with improved the therapeutic efficacy and lower toxicity, recent preclinical, completed and ongoing clinical trials of TAT alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents will be discussed.
This issue welcomes contributions describing all aspects of alpha therapy, from radionuclide production to patient treatment. Review articles, original research papers, brief research reports of relevant novel results in TAT field are well suited for submission to this Research Topic issue. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Clinical data providing clear evidence of the potential therapeutic efficacy of Xofigo for the treatment of bone metastases in various cancers (osteosarcoma, multiple myeloma, breast cancer, etc) are also welcomed. Other important aspects that can further contribute to improve TAT are radiobiology and dosimetric studies aimed at determining the most effective cytotoxic dose and radiation burden to non-target organs. Design and evaluation of novel alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals, combination therapies, biological effects, challenges of TAT (radionuclide availability, redistribution of daughters, toxicity, etc.), and studies on alternative methods for delivering alpha-particles (intra-cavity administration, etc.) to the cancer cells are also of interest.
Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT, molecular radiotherapy, targeted radiotherapy, radiotheranostics) is a rapidly developing area with important and recent brakethroughs. It aims for treating metastatic/disseminated cancer, the main clinical challenge in oncology. TRT is based on a personalised patient selection using functional imaging to verify the presence of a biologic target either on the cancer cell surface or the vascular and/or stromal elements of metastases. The only approved (2013) alpha-emitting radiopharmaceutical as of today is Xofigo (223Ra). The recent approval of beta-emitting 177Lu-DOTATATE (Lutathera) for somatostatin receptor positive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours and 177Lu-PSMA-617 (Pluctivo) for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) will clearly shift TRT into the mainstream of cancer treatment. Many preclinical and clinical trials have demonstrated that alpha-particle-emitting radiopharmaceuticals due to physical properties, high linear energy transfer and short range in tissue relative to beta-emissions, are emerging as a promising approach for cancer treatment.
The goal of this special issue is to describe the present clinical status, recent developments, challenges and future of targeted alpha-particle therapy (TAT). The development of novel alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals with improved the therapeutic efficacy and lower toxicity, recent preclinical, completed and ongoing clinical trials of TAT alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents will be discussed.
This issue welcomes contributions describing all aspects of alpha therapy, from radionuclide production to patient treatment. Review articles, original research papers, brief research reports of relevant novel results in TAT field are well suited for submission to this Research Topic issue. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Clinical data providing clear evidence of the potential therapeutic efficacy of Xofigo for the treatment of bone metastases in various cancers (osteosarcoma, multiple myeloma, breast cancer, etc) are also welcomed. Other important aspects that can further contribute to improve TAT are radiobiology and dosimetric studies aimed at determining the most effective cytotoxic dose and radiation burden to non-target organs. Design and evaluation of novel alpha-emitting radiopharmaceuticals, combination therapies, biological effects, challenges of TAT (radionuclide availability, redistribution of daughters, toxicity, etc.), and studies on alternative methods for delivering alpha-particles (intra-cavity administration, etc.) to the cancer cells are also of interest.
