Alpha-Emitters and Targeted Alpha Therapy in Oncology: from Basic Science to Clinical Investigations

Alpha-emitters are radionuclides that decay through the emission of high linear energy transfer α-particles and possess favorable pharmacologic profiles for cancer treatment. When coupled with monoclonal antibodies, peptides, small molecules, or nanoparticles, the excellent cytotoxic capability of α-particle emissions has generated a strong interest in exploring targeted α-therapy in the pre-clinical setting and more recently in clinical trials in oncology. Multiple obstacles have been overcome by researchers and clinicians to accelerate the development of targeted α-therapies, especially with the recent improvement in isotope production and purification, but also with the development of innovative strategies for optimized targeting. Numerous studies have demonstrated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of the targeted α-therapy. Radium-223 (223Ra) dichloride (Xofigo®) is the first α-emitter to have received FDA approval for the treatment of prostate cancer with metastatic bone lesions. There is a significant increase in the number of clinical trials in oncology using several radionuclides such as Actinium-225 (225Ac), Bismuth-213 (213Bi), Lead-212 (212Pb), Astatine (211At) or Radium-223 (223Ra) assessing their safety and preliminary activity. This review will cover their therapeutic application as well as summarize the investigations that provide the foundation for further clinical development.

Targeted oncology. 2018 Feb 08 [Epub ahead of print]

Mehran Makvandi, Edouard Dupis, Jonathan W Engle, F Meiring Nortier, Michael E Fassbender, Sam Simon, Eva R Birnbaum, Robert W Atcher, Kevin D John, Olivier Rixe, Jeffrey P Norenberg

Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Program, College of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA., Experimental Therapeutics Unit, University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1210 Camino de Salud, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA., Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, USA., Experimental Therapeutics Unit, University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center, 1210 Camino de Salud, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA. ., Radiopharmaceutical Sciences Program, College of Pharmacy, Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, MSC09 5360, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA. .