Theranostics
Theranostics uses specific biological pathways in the human body, to acquire diagnostic images and also to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to the patient. A specific diagnostic test shows a particular molecular target on a tumour, allowing a therapeutic agent to specifically target that receptor on the tumour cells that have them. Thus the normal cells that do not have such receptor expression are spared of treatment.
Target expression
Identify the most useful target for each patient and cancer through diagnostic scans. Choosing the vehicle to deliver radiation: Once the target is identified, we need to choose the range of the missile that we are going to send. Long range for large tumours-beta emitters. Short, targeted bursts of energy are delivered with alpha emitters making them more potent. Sometimes even electrons with much lesser range for a single or couple of cells kill.
Peak precision
The vehicle and ligand reach the targeted area, attach to the cell and continuously release a burst of energy that will kill the tumour cells most selectively. So once administered it stays on inside the body for long periods giving treatment effect for many days and weeks.
Minimum side effects
In RN Therapy, the delivery of radiation is mostly only to those cells that express a particular target at the precise site of the tumour, minimizing damage to healthy tissue around it. This results in minimal side effects, faster recovery and a better quality of life.
Advantages of Theranostics
- Targeted radiation to specify cells only
- Intravenous therapy mostly, so minimally invasive and not painful
- Much better tolerance
- Proven credentials in reducing risk of side-effects
- Better quality of life during and after treatment
- A painless and non-invasive procedure
- Seeing what you treat and treating based only on what you see
- Personalizing the radiation delivered based on individual patient’s tumour characteristics and expression
Role of Theranostics in Cancer
- Brain tumours – meningiomas and glioblastomas
- Pediatric cancers – neuroblastoma
- Bone & soft tissue cancers – pain palliation
- Head & neck cancers – thyroid
- Urology cancers – prostate
- Gl cancers (gastrointestinal) – liver cancer
- Thoracic cancers – advanced lung cancer
- Breast cancers – advanced breast cancer
