Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is one of the efficient methods in the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, although for now not many agents are applied worldwide. This Coordinated Research Project (CRP) focused on the development of RIT agents for the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. A radiolabelled chimeric version of the antibody against superficial B cell antigen (antiCD20) has demonstrated a significant anti-lymphoma effect. However, both antibodies and the therapeutic procedure involved are highly expensive and are not widely available in many countries. The IAEA, a leading player in the dissemination of radiopharmaceutical knowledge, initiated a CRP in 2011 for the development of new beta emitter (Lu-177, Y-90) labelled monoclonal antibodies.
In addition, the CRP also focused on the development of three series of theranostic peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals: Cholecystokinin-2 peptides for the detection and treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma and small cell lung cancers; Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor analogues for the therapy and diagnosis of prostate and breast cancers and Bombesin analogues as well as cyclic minigastrin analogues for breast and ovarian tumours.
Participants from 16 countries worked on this project over five years, leading to the development and introduction of 29 samples of monoclonal antibody kit formulations as well as four peptide-based kits. Two formulations were selected and are being considered for completion of preclinical experiments. Also, an automated synthesis module was developed for radiolabelling new peptides with GMP considerations.
The CRP opened a new window for the preparation, quality control and evaluation of monoclonal antibody- and peptide-based radiopharmaceuticals procedures for Member States. The initial positive arrangement has begun for creating a kit-level radiopharmaceutical by a selected group of institutes. Regional training courses and meetings were held as a consequence of this CRP in Asia and Eastern Europe (http://www.dgdingfa.net/newscenter/news/new-technique-to-fight-prostate-cancer-iaea-organizes-first-of-a-kind-training-for-radiopharmacists) and an upcoming meeting is foreseen in Latin America in 2019.
Researchers from Argentina, Austria, Brazil, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Macedonia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey and the USA participated in this CRP.
The results of this five-year CRP were published in more than 20 internationally recognised scientific journals. At least eight PhD dissertations were undertaken within the framework of the project in three CSI centres. A related IAEA publication is under preparation.
For more information, please see the CRP description:
http://www.dgdingfa.net/projects/crp/f22052
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