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Ronny Allan
What is Targeted Alpha-emitter Therapy?
Regular PRRT which is authorised for use now, i.e. Lutathera/Lu177 is a beta therapy. Targeted Alpha Therapy is based on the coupling of alpha particle emitting radioisotopes to tumour selective carrier molecules, such as monoclonal antibodies or peptides. These molecules have the ability to selectively target tumour cells even if they are spread throughout the body. They recognize the targeted cancer cells through antigens that are expressed on the cell surface and can bind selectively to these cells, similar a key fitting into a lock. In targeted alpha therapy these carrier molecules serve as vehicles to transport the radioisotopes to the cancer cells. This is called the “magic bullet” approach. Radioisotopes that emit alpha particles seem particularly promising to selectively destroy cancer cells. Alpha particles have a high energy in the range of 5-9 MeV and at the same time a very short path length in human tissue below 0.1 mm, corresponding to less than 10 cell diameters. Consequently, the use of alpha emitters allows the specific targeting and killing of individual malignant cells, while minimizing the toxicity to surrounding healthy tissue. Extracted from EU Science Hub
According to the clinical trials document, this drug addresses an unmet need in the field of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) for NETs. Substitution of an alpha emitter (e.g. ²¹²Pb) for the beta emitters currently being used (i.e., 177Lu or 90Y) will provide significantly higher Linear Energy Transfer (LET) and a shorter path length. Higher LET particles should cause more tumor cell death. Shorter path length should result in less collateral damage of the normal tissue and therefore less side effects for subjects receiving the drug.
What is the difference between ‘regular’ PRRT and the Alpha version?
From the scant ‘patient understandable‘ information currently available, it would appear that alpha therapy has the potential to be more targeted and less toxic than beta PRRT – to me that seems like it would be able to target smaller tumours.
The main effort for NETs is based on the use of two TAT radionuclides – 225Actinium and 212Pb
Where can I get alpha-emitter PRRT
A lot of people ask me this. Clearly this is a discussion to be had with your doctors. Just because alpha-emitter has the above advantages does not mean it (or any PRRT type) is suitable for you.
It’s still in development but clinical trials are starting to become available, mainly in US and Europe (on a clinical trial basis), but there could be some access in South Africa and India.
The main clinical trials can be found here:
AC225 –click here
Pb212 – click here
South Africa. Anecdotally from a trusted source, AC225 is available “off trial” from Dr. Mike Sathekge at Head of Dept: Nuclear Medicine
University of Pretoria / Steve Biko Academic Hospital
India – see section about India below.
But see 2023 clinical trials summary below.
Clinical trials – 212Pb-AR-RMX
Update 3 Jan 2022. Radiomedix and Orano Med Announce the Initiation of the Phase II Multi-Center Clinical Trial of Alphamedix™ for Targeted Alpha-Emitter Therapy of Neuroendocrine Cancers
Phase 2 trial – click here or on the picture above
Background reading in addition to the Phase 2 trial above: Phase 1 trial information
In 2018, RadioMedix Inc. and Orano Med initiated the Phase 1 trial for AlphaMedixTM in patients with somatostatin receptor (SSTR) positive Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) – an NIH supported trial.
AlphaMedixTM is composed of a somatostatin analogue radiolabeled with 212Pb, an isotope used for Targeted Alpha-emitter Therapy (TAT). This open-label, dose escalation study’s objective is to determine safety, bio-distribution, and preliminary effectiveness of 212 Pb-AR-RMX in adult patients with differentiated (sic) NETs. “Targeted Alpha-emitter Therapy (TAT) is the wave of the future in nuclear oncology and has a tremendous potential to treat patients with NET and overcome some of the limitations of current Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT)” said Dr. Ebrahim S. Delpassand, Chairman and CEO of RadioMedix, sponsor of the trial. They further announced on 21 Feb 2018 that the first patients had undergone some treatment.
Related articles:
Phase 1 Clinical Trial Document – Phase 1 Study of AlphaMedix™ in Adult Subjects With SSTR (+) NET – click here
Phase 2 document – Targeted Alpha-emitter Therapy of PRRT Naive Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients (ALPHAMEDIX02) click here
Ornamed Website – click here
RadioMedix Inc Website – click here
Some advance info on the data from the Phase 1 trial results (quote from Dr Strosberg)
“Some exciting data on peptide receptor radionuclide therapy have been released with regard to the alpha particle–emitting isotope 212Pb–DOTATATE; this [treatment] was associated with exceptionally high response rates with the maximum-tolerated dose, which was discovered in the phase 1 study. Alpha emission is completely different from beta-emitting [radionuclide therapy], such as lutetium-177 (Lutathera)or yttrium-90; it delivers a much higher energy over a much shorter particle length. Although development may take more than a few years, I believe this [approach] has the potential to improve the therapeutic index that we are currently seeing with lutetium-177” Read the quote reference here.
This has been taken from the Radiomedix website:
This summary was presented at ASCO 2021 as an abstract:
Conclusions: This F-I-H clinical study of AlphaMedix shows that PRRT with 212Pb is feasible, well tolerated, and provides substantial reduction in tumor burden to patients with unresectable, metastatic SSTR-expressing NETs. Dramatic improvement in tumor burden and a positive impact on quality of life were seen in all of the PRRT naïve subjects who AlphaMedix at the highest dose tested.
Clinical trials – 225Ac
There seems to be quite a bit of use in India, not much is known if the Indian Drug Approval authorities have authorised it or it’s being used on a clinical trial basis (see more below). Check this German study on the best and safest dosage over a 5 year period. Dosing 225Ac-DOTATOC in patients with somatostatin-receptor-positive solid tumors: 5-year follow-up of hematological and renal toxicity.
Click here to read
NEW Sep 2022. Clinical Trial: Phase 1b/3 Targeted Alpha-Emitter PRRT RYZ101 (Ac225) – Ronny Allan – Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer
AC225 Alpha PRRT in India – CNETS India website.
Two nuclear medicine centres in India have started Alpha PRRT for NET patients. World over, many clinical trials have established the benefit of PRRT for metastatic NETs. Alpha PRRT uses the more powerful alpha particle emitting agents, Actinium 225 or Bismuth 213, in place of Lutetium 177 or Yttrium 90, which are the commonly used beta emitters for PRRT, to target the somatostatin receptors expressed by the tumor cells. According to CNETS India, Alpha PRRT holds higher energy leading to higher efficacy and lower toxicity to normal tissues and hence lesser side effects as compared to the currently available Lu177 based PRRT. Currently Alpha PRRT is already available at two ‘superspecialty’ hospitals in Delhi and Bengaluru in North and South India, respectively.
Targeted Alpha Theranostics
Read about the involvement of Viewpoint Molecular Targeting (VMT) who are involved in a theranostic approach using TAT. Presumably working with alongside Radiomedix 212Pb approach. Read more here:
Update 27th July 2022
This real-world study from India using 225Ac and Capecitabine chemotherapy is interesting. Read more by clicking here or on the photo below:
Update 15th June 2022
SNNMI Abstract of the Year: Targeted Radionuclide Treatment Achieves High Response Rate, Minimal Toxicities for Advanced-Stage Neuroendocrine Tumors
June 14, 2022
Reston, VA — A targeted radionuclide alpha therapy, 225Ac-DOTATATE, has been shown to have long-term anti-tumor effects in patients with advanced-stage gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs). Results from the Phase II study showed promising survival rates, high response rates and an acceptable toxicity profile, making 225Ac-DOTATATE a potential treatment option for patients who have exhausted other forms of therapy. This research was presented at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 2022 Annual Meeting and was selected as the meeting’s Abstract of the Year.
Each year, SNMMI chooses an abstract that best exemplifies the most promising advances in the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. This year, the SNMMI Henry N. Wagner, Jr., Abstract of the Year was chosen from more than 1,000 abstracts submitted to the meeting and voted on by reviewers and the society leadership.
GEP-NETs are rare malignancies that arise from neuroendocrine cells and can be present all along the gastroinstesinal tract. While patients with early-stage GEP-NETs can undergo surgery to cure the disease, the majority of patients are diagnosed with metastatic disease, making systemic treatment—such as targeted radionuclide therapy—their only option. 177Lu-DOTATATE has been proven to be an effective targeted beta radionuclide therapy; little evidence, however, is available on targeted alpha radionuclide therapies for GEP-NETs.
In the study, researchers aimed to evaluate the long-term efficacy, survival outcomes, and safety of the targeted radionuclide alpha therapy 225Ac-DOTATATE in GEP-NET patients. Eighty-three GEP-NET patients (including 56 patients with prior 177Lu-DOTATATE treatment and 27 177Lu-DOTATATE-naïve patients) received systemic treatment with 225Ac-DOTATATE intravenously at eight weekly intervals.
Hematologic, kidney and liver function tests were performed before and after each cycle. Tumors were measured using RECIST 1.1 criteria at baseline and after two cycle intervals. Overall survival, radiographic progression-free survival, objective tumor response, and treatment-related adverse events were assessed.
After the treatment course, two patients (2.7 percent) had complete response, 32 (43.2 percent) had a partial response, 25 (34 percent) had stable disease, and 15 (20 percent) had progressive disease. Minimal toxicities were noted after treatment with 225Ac-DOTATATE.
“225Ac-DOTATATE is a promising therapy option that adds a new dimension to the treatment of end-stage GEP-NETs, especially for patients who have tried all other standard therapy options,” said Chandrasekhar S. Bal, MD, DNB, DSc (HC), FAMS, FNASc, FASc, professor and head of the Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET at the All India Institute of Medical Science in New Delhi, India. “These results warrant a Phase III randomized control trial to assess the true efficacy of 225Ac-DOTATATE versus 177Lu-DOTATATE.”
“The results from this study not only emphasized the promise and success of targeted alpha therapies but also reflected growing global interest in these life-extending treatments,” said Heather Jacene, MD, SNMMI Scientific Program Committee chair. “We look forward to further research on this topic in the future.”
Source. SNMMI 2022 conference
19th July 2023 Alpha-emitter Clinical Trials Summary
Just in – a summary of progress to date including a list of alpha-emitter clinical trials, not all NET.
Jang, A.; Kendi, A.T.; Johnson, G.B.; Halfdanarson, T.R.; Sartor, O. Targeted Alpha-Particle Therapy: A Review of Current Trials. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24, 11626.
Click here – IJMS | Free Full-Text | Targeted Alpha-Particle Therapy: A Review of Current Trials (mdpi.com)
General Clinical Trials Disclaimer
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided in the clinical trials document. It’s very important to check the trial inclusion and exclusion criteria before making any contact. If you need questions, the articles here is very useful Questions to Ask About Clinical Trials | Cancer.Net
The inclusion of any trial within this blog should not be taken as a recommendation by Ronny Allan.
Finally
Whenever I post about a trial or study, some people get excited without understanding that these new treatments and capabilities can very often take years to come to fruition and it’s also possible that clinical trials can be halted, or that national approval agencies will not approve the final product. Plus, not everyone will be eligible, so always check the exclusion and inclusion criteria in the relevant clinical trials document. Please bear that in mind when reading studies/clinical trials posted on RonnyAllan.NET
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Clinical Trial – Lutathera NETTER-2 Important Update
UPDATE – Sep 25th, 2023 – Novartis radioligand therapy Lutathera® demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful progression-free survival in first line advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
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Hi everybody! I live in Belgium and I have been diagnosed with SiNets in 2013. I am currently being treated with Sandostatin LAR 30 mg. First 1 every month, now 1 every 3 weeks. Recently, they’ve found progression (increase in size and number of peritoneal and liver metastastases) and my doctor suggests to start PRRT. The TAT 212 Pb-AR-RMX trial seems a very promising alternative. Would this treatment be better for me than PRRT? Or would it be recommended to ‘try’ PRRT first? Can I have this TAT 212 Pb-AR-RMX treatment afterwards? The ‘exclusion criteria’ mention that the patient can’t have had PRRT previously… What would be the right choice for me? Thank you for your help.
Hi Frank, you’ve come through on my blog article – this would have been a better topic inside my group. I think TAT will be a while yet and is not yet approved. |Perhaps when it is approved there will be another trial of something even better? Something to think about. There’s always an issue with previous radiotherapy treatment and there is certainly risk involved. However, I spoke to a lady yesterday who was on PRRT treatment number 11.
I’ve indeed read your blog article and I found it very interesting. I’m a bit afraid of PRRT treatment because of the radioactivity/toxicity. 11 PRRT treatments? As far as I know, you can have 4 treatments (every time with 8 weeks in between) and eventually 2 extra treatments (after 1 1/2 year), but not more…
So, TAT is too early… but are there other alternatives than PRRT? My doctor said Afinitor is for pNets but there seems to be a new medicine (Lenvatinib)…that is very promising. Does anyone know more about that medicine?
afinitor is out there and side effects seem to be tolerable – that stats are not as good as PRRT. Lenvatinib is on trial – not enough data to comment (no data yet).
has anyone already undergone PRRT treatment? My spouse is looking at that once the insurance company okays it, and I was wondering what the after effects are like…. any info would be great. He really had a month of pure exhaustion after his bland embolisation procedure, and some heart abnormalities to deal with….
you wont get too much feedback here as this is just my blog site – try my patient group here Betty https://www.facebook.com/groups/157067628225670/
Thanks for the info. Looks like I am heading to Switzerland for PRRT very soon, but this new treatment sounds interesting and promising.
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Great stuff, onwards & upwards. T
On Wed, 10 Jan 2018 at 19:32, Ronny Allan – Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer wrote:
> Ronny Allan posted: ” RadioMedix Inc. and AREVA Med today announced the > initiation in the United States of Phase 1 trial for AlphaMedixTM in > patients with somatostatin receptor (SSTR) positive Neuroendocrine Tumors > (NETs). AlphaMedixTM is composed of a somatostatin analogue ” >
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Thanks! Have tried several different treatments to no avail so will show my oncologist when I see him next week. DX 2 years ago.
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OK bear in mind the trial data is not yet public and will have exclusions. Good luck