Novel targeted antibody targeted delivery of radiotherapy of micrometastases
Lead Researcher:
Professor Barry AllenSignificance
Many tumours, including prostate cancer and melanoma, send micrometastases (small packets of tumour cells which are undetectable by standard imaging and scanning methods) around the body. If these can be selectively targeted and knocked out early in treatment, it would reduce recurrence rates and increase cure rates in a manner which is non-invasive to the patient.
Major achievements in past 10 yrs
Over the past 10 yrs, this group has development of a novel approach to killing tumour cells called targeted alpha therapy (TAT). A targeting molecule takes a radioisotope payload to the cancer cells, wherever they may be, even if we can’t detect them by standard imaging. The isotope emits highly potent, but short range radiation which kills cancer cells and the tumour capillaries. In this manner the targeted cells are selectively killed without significant toxicity to healthy non-malignant cells. This group recently discovered that this technique is effective in regressing melanomas, but it may be applicable to a wide variety of cancers including prostate, leukaemia and lymphoma.Current research activities
This group is currently working on ways to improve the effectiveness of this therapy. For example they have shown that the therapy can be improved by increasing the leakiness of the tumour capillaries allowing greater cancer cell kill around the capillaries. Further research on this specific adaptation of the technique is underway in a special mice and in human melanoma patients.Recent publications
Allen B, Raja C, Rizvi S, Song EY, Graham P. Tumour anti-vascular alpha therapy: a mechanism for the regressionof solid tumours in metastatic cancer. Phys Med Biol, 2007 Jul 7:52 (13)L15-9 17664565 (P.S.E.B)
de Souza P, Liauw W, Links M, Pirabhahar S, Kelly G, and Howes LG. Phase I and pharmacokinetic study of weekly NV06 (Phenoxodiolä), a novel isoflav-3-ene, in patients with advanced cancer. Cancer Chemotherapy & Pharmacoogyl. 2006 58(4):427-433.
Melville G, Meriarty H, Metcalfe P, Knittel T, Allen BJ. Production of Ac-225 for cancer therapy by photon-induced transmutation of Ra-226. Appl Rad 2007:Apr 12. 17532223 (P.S.E.B.D) In press.
