Molecular Theranostics: A new beginning for end-stage cancer patients

Molecular theranostics is a method that integrates a diagnostic examination with a therapeutic approach aimed at addressing a disease’s molecular characteristics. It can aid in the non-invasive detection of diseases and offer insights into the existence of molecular targets before, during, and after treatment. These treatments successfully reduce or eradicate tumors, frequently when other alternatives fail. Its individualised method customises care for every patient, ensuring enhanced results and a better quality of life.

Molecular Theranostics

Theranostics combines therapy and diagnostics, seamlessly integrating diagnosis and therapy for precise and personalised cancer treatment. It uses specialised radiopharmaceuticals that possess diagnostic and therapeutic properties.

Firstly, a lower drug dose is injected into the body that targets specific biomarkers or receptors on cancer cells, providing insights into the exact location, extent, and nature of a disease. Simultaneously, the higher dose of the same drug is delivered directly to the cancerous site, maximising efficacy in killing cancer cells while minimising collateral damage to healthy tissues and causing minimum to no side effects.”

New-age nuclear therapies 

Nuclear therapy has brought about a new era in cancer treatment by offering hope and relief to cancer patients for whom other conventional treatments fail. It offers an integrated approach to patients with personalised nuclear therapies using genomic analysis. These therapies involve using tiny amounts of radioactive materials to treat cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. Unlike traditional treatments, it goes straight to the source of the problem.

The centre has remarkably succeeded in treating various solid cancers with these therapies. Some of the new-age therapies available there include:

• Radioiodine Therapy for Thyroid Cancers
• Lutetium PSMA & Alpha PSMA Therapies for advanced and resistant Prostate Cancer
• PRRT – DOTATATE Therapy for Neuroendocrine tumors

• Lutetium or Actinium FAPI Peptide Targeted Radio molecular Therapy (PTRT) for various end stage solid cancers like Lung, Breast, Sarcoma, Pancreas, Gall Bladder, Ovary etc
• TARE (Trans Arterial Radioembolization) for Liver Cancer

Benefits of nuclear medicine therapy

Today, with nuclear therapies, we can treat resistant prostate cancers, neuroendocrine tumours, and other terminal cancers.  While hospitals adopt advanced techniques like chemotherapy, radiation, and robotic surgeries, Nuclear Medicine stands out with its high success rate in extending the lives of patients who may have lost hope after multiple chemo and radiation cycles. The scope of these therapies isn’t limited to only cancers. Nuclear therapies are effective in the treatment of non-cancerous conditions as well.

Nuclear Medicine Therapy offers several benefits to the patient, which include: 

•       Precise localisation and targeted treatment of cancer cells
•       No or minimal effect on the surrounding healthy tissues and regions
•       Personalised approaches as therapies can be tailored to an individual’s need

Outlook for nuclear medicine therapy

Nuclear medicine therapy is set to undergo significant advancements due to technological advancements, research, and clinical applications. 

• Theranostics, combining therapy and diagnostics, is being developed, targeting specific cancers.
• New radioisotopes are being developed, offering high-precision targeting of micro metastases and exploring synergies with immunotherapy. 
• Nuclear medicine is also finding new applications in cardiology, neurology, and infectious disease management. 
• Technological integration with artificial intelligence and machine learning is enhancing diagnostics and treatment planning. 
• Global access and production innovations are being made to improve medical isotope availability and reduce nuclear waste. 
• Regulatory and safety considerations are also being adapted to ensure the safety and efficacy of new radiopharmaceuticals.