Projects / Programmes
Development and preparation of new radiotherapeutic agents for targeted radiotherapy and evaluation of their therapeutic potential
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 3.04.00 |
Medical sciences |
Oncology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B200 |
Biomedical sciences |
Cytology, oncology, cancerology |
| B145 |
Biomedical sciences |
Nuclear medicine, radiobiology |
| T411 |
Technological sciences |
Radiopharmaceutical technology |
| P380 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Nuclear chemistry |
radiopharmaceuticals, radiotherapy, alpha emitters, beta emitters
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
19896 |
PhD Urška Repinc |
Chemistry |
Head |
2007 - 2008 |
0 |
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
18 |
Abstract
The progress in the application of nuclear medicine techniques is to a large extent dependent on the availability of the necessary radionuclides and the possibility of production/preparation of a radiopharmaceutical on nuclear medicine departments. Interdisciplinary efforts of this level will provide reasonable possibilities for the efficient development of radiopharmaceuticals capable of delivering cytotoxic doses of radiaton in high specificity to cancerous tumours. The search for an ideal therapeutic radionuclide has been the driving force to produce radiopharmaceuticals using radionuclides with different half-lives and energy or even emitting different particles for radioimmunotherapy (RIT). The RIT trial depend mainly on the availability of high affinity agent and specificity, a suitable radionuclide with desired physical properties, and an appropriate linker moiety to consistently produce a stable radioimmunoconjugate constructs that remains intact under the challenge of human catabolism. The main objective of the proposed project is to improve the potential of cancer therapy and its monitoring through the development of innovative vectors labelled with alpha and beta emitting radionuclides for targeted radionuclide therapy of disseminated cancer. The research in this area will provide a better insight into radiopharmaceutical production capabilities and their use in clinical practice in Slovenia.
Significance for science
Research in the field of radiotherapy with alpha emitters has not been proposed before, because of the unavailability of appropriate radionuclides in Slovenia. The possibility of a colaborative research efforts together with the alphaimmunotherapy group at JRC ITU allowed us to obtain regular supplies of alpha emitters, to be used in the proposed research project Z3-9083.
Although the results of early studies with alpha emitters appear promising, there are several obstacles to the widespread use of RIT. To adress this difficulties, new alpha sources (U230) and methods of production of alpha emitters, improved chelation chemistry, better labelling protocols and chelating agents with suitable thermodynamic and kinetic stability were explored in the current project. Knowledge related to the stability of radioconjugates in vitro is of vital importance for possible suitability of radioconjugates in vivo. The proposed research offered a unique possibility to improve collaboration between research institutes in Slovenia as well as internationally, and revive the medical research activity on the field of radiochemistry at Jozef Stefan Institute with the use of available equipment and laboratories located at the Reactor Centre Podgorica.
Significance for the country
The research project Z3-9083 was proposed together with the researchers from University Medical Centre Ljubljana (KCLJ) and in collaboration with the research goup at JRC ITU, Germany. In 2008, research group at KCLJ joined the EU project TARCC (Targeted alpha-particle emitting radionuclides to combat cancer, FP7 Health-F2-2007-201962), where also ITU group is one of the parters. Therefore the research activities on alpha emitters in Slovenia will continue and the licence to use Ac225/Bi213 generator at KCLJ is to be obtained.
Before the start of the project there were no research activities in the field of alpha emitters for medical applications in Slovenia. The proposed project has offered an unique possibility to improve collaboration between research institutes in Slovenia as well as internationally.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
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Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
