Some years ago I wrote about an emerging type of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) suggesting it could be next generation.  That work continues.  It was being labelled with the term “Targeted Alpha-emitter Therapy (TAT)” using “alpha particles”.  The current approved types of PRRT use beta particles so is a totally different method.  You might be thinking what the differences are and how does it affect me?  You can read more in my article PRRT – The Sequel? – Targeted Alpha-emitter Therapy (TAT).

I also wrote about the term THERANOSTICS, a combo term for THERAPY and DIAGNOSTICS.  In the same way that you have a theranostic pair in Ga68 PET and Lu177 DOTATATE/DOTATOC, alpha particle therapy will eventually need the same approach in order that specialists know the output from the diagnostic imaging, will have a therapeutic effect using alpha therapy.

So, it is good to see trials emerging along these lines.  VMT-𝛼-NET is entering a Phase 0 imaging study followed by a Phase 1 therapy study for neuroendocrine tumours at the University of Iowa.

VMT = Viewpoint Molecular Targeting (now Perspective Therapeutics)

Viewpoint Molecular Targeting is a radiopharmaceutical company developing precision oncology therapeutics and complementary diagnostic imaging agents. The Company’s proprietary technology utilizes lead-212 (i.e. 212Pb mentioned in the TAT article above) to deliver powerful alpha radiation specifically to cancer cells via specialized targeting peptides. Viewpoint is also developing complementary imaging diagnostics that incorporate the same targeting peptides which provide the opportunity to personalize treatment and optimize patient outcomes.   This ‘theranostic’ approach enables the ability to see the specific tumour and then treat it to potentially improve efficacy and minimize toxicity associated with many other types of cancer treatments.

VMT-𝛼-NET is designed to deliver powerful alpha particle radiation specifically to the NET, while minimizing risk to normal organs and tissues. In 2019, the University of Iowa was awarded an R01 research grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to prepare for and conduct an image-guided alpha-particle therapy trial of VMT-𝛼-NET for NETs. The first-in-human imaging trial was anticipated to commence in early 2021 but in April 2022, I don’t believe the trial linked below was commenced (to be confirmed). Viewpoint has further been awarded over $4M in the form of Small Business Innovation Research grants from the NCI to advance this cutting-edge treatment to clinical development. Thus, the VMT-𝛼-NET receptor-targeted alpha-particle radiotherapy is positioned to advance a new transformative treatment paradigm for NET patients.