Peptide Radiotheranostics: Pioneering the Future of Targeted Cancer Treatments

Peptide radiotheranostics is emerging as a groundbreaking technology in cancer treatment, offering a paradigm shift in precision oncology. This approach utilizes radiolabeled peptides to selectively target cancer cells, integrating diagnosis and therapy. By binding to specific tumor-associated receptors, such as somatostatin receptor (SSTR) or gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR), these radiolabeled peptides enable highly sensitive imaging and effective targeted radionuclide therapy. The dual functionality enhances therapeutic effects while minimizing side effects. Recent advances in molecular imaging and radiopharmaceutical development have propelled peptide radiotheranostics into clinical applications. As research progresses, the refinement of peptide carriers and the optimization of radionuclide selection hold promise for expanding its applications across various malignancies, contributing to the evolution of personalized cancer therapy.

Peptide-based radiotheranostics have emerged as a promising approach for precision oncology, offering fused diagnostics and therapeutics effectively. However, several challenges hinder their full clinical potential. The primary concerns include increasing peptide stability, enhancing target specificity, and minimizing accumulation in normal tissues. Additionally, the development of novel peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals requires the incorporation of novel radionuclides, improved radiolabeling strategies, and efficient clearance mechanisms to reduce accumulation in the normal tissues.

To address these challenges, multidisciplinary research efforts should focus on peptide engineering, advances in radiochemistry, and clinical translation strategies. Modifying peptides through intelligent molecular modeling, backbone stabilization, and conjugation with more appropriate chelators can improve their pharmacokinetics and targeting efficiency. Through these efforts, peptide radiotheranostics could achieve a more effective personalized medicine for cancer by improving therapeutic efficacy and safety.

In addition to advanced researchers, we particularly encourage young scientists to submit research and review articles on modern methods in the development and application of peptide-based radiotracers for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Articles should clearly address the rational design of peptides or peptide mimetics against novel targets for nuclear or multimodal in vivo imaging and radiotherapy. Review articles should focus on a summary of the state of the art and highlight recent advances in the field of peptide radiotheranostics.
We are particularly interested in original and review articles that provide insight into the current role of peptide radiotheranostics in facilitating new strategies in the fight against cancer.
Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• Modified peptide-based radiotheranostics, such as peptide heteodimers, albumin binding moiety containing peptides, and other multifunctional peptides
• Translational research and clinical research of peptide radiotheranostics
• Rational design of peptides or peptide mimetics for the development of radiotheranostics
• New chelators and coordination chemistry for radiopeptides
• Radiometal chemistry: recent developments (e.g., Zr-89, Tb-155/161, Sc-44/47, etc)
• Implementation and automation of GMP compliant production processes of peptide radiotheranostics

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Peptide, cancer, Radiotheranostic

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.