Alpha-particles linked to recombinant antibodies targeting tumour cells have potential to effectively treat tumours while minimising normal tissue side effects. We will explore a novel alpha-particle therapy approach to solid tumours, by delivering 225Ac directly into tumour cells, or into cells that support the tumour (microenvironment). This approach will hopefully result in development of a new approach to treatment of cancers that are resistant to conventional therapies.
The Ludwig Institute is adopting a two prong approach in the fight against cancer. Ludwig scientists are developing improved and sensitive scanning methods to aid in the conduct of field trials of new anti-cancer antibodies. In addition, they are also developing new targeted anti-cancer antibodies with improved properties that have the ability to bind to tumours while sparing normal tissues. These drugs can either attack the cancer directly or be used to carry drugs to the target thereby shrinki ....The Ludwig Institute is adopting a two prong approach in the fight against cancer. Ludwig scientists are developing improved and sensitive scanning methods to aid in the conduct of field trials of new anti-cancer antibodies. In addition, they are also developing new targeted anti-cancer antibodies with improved properties that have the ability to bind to tumours while sparing normal tissues. These drugs can either attack the cancer directly or be used to carry drugs to the target thereby shrinking the tumour.Read moreRead less
Targeting 124I To The DNA Of Tumours For PET Imaging And Auger-Radiotherapy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$787,000.00
Summary
The aim of this project is to develop a new method of targeting radioactivity to tumours, for detection and treatment, using a radioactive element (iodine-124). Iodine-124 emits a form of radiation called positrons, detected by a new imaging technique - Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Therefore, tumours labelled with iodine-124 can be imaged by PET. Also, iodine-124 is amongst a class of radioactive atoms (called Auger-emitters) that emit a shower of very low energy electrons. This intense f ....The aim of this project is to develop a new method of targeting radioactivity to tumours, for detection and treatment, using a radioactive element (iodine-124). Iodine-124 emits a form of radiation called positrons, detected by a new imaging technique - Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Therefore, tumours labelled with iodine-124 can be imaged by PET. Also, iodine-124 is amongst a class of radioactive atoms (called Auger-emitters) that emit a shower of very low energy electrons. This intense focus of radiation damage, can be exploited to kill cancer cells by inflicting lethal DNA damage. To bring the iodine-124 close to the DNA molecule, we will attach it to a DNA-binding drug linked to a tumour-seeking protein, such as an anti-tumour antibody. After injection of the radioactive drug-protein cocktail, PET imaging will be used to assess the extent of tumour targeting, to enable calculation of the amount of cocktail required for successful tumour treatment by further injections. There are some situations where tumour imaging needs to be non-damaging, such as in using PET imaging to assess the success of surgical removal of a tumour. Therefore, we will design an alternative version of the iodine-124-labelled DNA- binding drug with the radioactive atom in a location that will minimise DNA damage from radioactive decay. In this imaging-only scenario, the Auger-emission feature is suppressed whilst still exploiting positron-emission for imaging. The stability of radioactive atoms varies widely, and the half-life of iodine-124 (about four days) is an ideal compromise for imaging and treatment. By contrast, the utility of the most commonly used isotope for PET imaging, fluorine-18, is limited by its half-life of only a few hours. The PET Centre at PeterMac will soon produce iodine-124, joining one of only a few centres throughout the world. Peter Mac has recently lodged a patent application for the technology to be developed in this project.Read moreRead less
Radioimmunotherapy is an experimental method of cancer treatment, involving the use of radioactive isotopes, which are targeted to tumour cells using specific molecules as carriers. These carriers are known as anti-tumour antibodies, and they bind specifically to tumour cells. Recent advances in molecular biology and in the understanding of the nature of tumour cells has resulted in the development of improved anti-tumour antibodies, and such improvements can be expected to continue. However, th ....Radioimmunotherapy is an experimental method of cancer treatment, involving the use of radioactive isotopes, which are targeted to tumour cells using specific molecules as carriers. These carriers are known as anti-tumour antibodies, and they bind specifically to tumour cells. Recent advances in molecular biology and in the understanding of the nature of tumour cells has resulted in the development of improved anti-tumour antibodies, and such improvements can be expected to continue. However, this project is concerned not with the tumour targeting aspect of radioimmunotherapy, but rather with the payload or cytotoxic mechanism, in which the radiation damage is focused on the DNA of the cell. In summary, the project explores a new approach in cancer radioimmunotherapy. This approach will be evaluated firstly in cultures of tumour cells and then in mice bearing transplanted tumours. If successful this project will result in the development of a new cell kill technology that can be combined with different anti-tumour antibodies.Read moreRead less