Αlpha-Particle Therapy as an Innovative Targeted Approach for Aggressive Cancer Treatment

Targeted α therapy (TAT) represents a breakthrough frontier in oncology, leveraging targeted radiation to selectively destroy tumor cells. Unlike conventional therapies, TAT harnesses the high linear energy transfer of α-particles, such as those emitted by astatine-211 (At-211), a highly promising therapeutic radionuclide, to deliver potent, localized radiation with minimal damage to surrounding tissues. This approach has shown effectiveness in metastatic cancers in early studies, especially where conventional treatments fall short. This project aims to investigate a novel At-211-based TAT for the targeted treatment of ovarian cancer and triple-negative breast cancer, two aggressive cancers with limited therapeutic options. By assessing the performance of this TAT within the tumor microenvironment, the project seeks to establish an optimized, effective therapeutic regimen for cancer treatment. The project will involve developing robust preclinical cancer models that integrate the tumor microenvironment, examining pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy in advanced preclinical and patient-derived models, and refining treatment protocols in combination with standard-of-care therapies. The findings of this translational research are expected to advance novel At-211-based TATs toward clinical applications, potentially transforming cancer treatment with a high-efficacy targeted option for managing aggressive cancers.