
Targeted Alpha Therapy relies on a simple concept: combining the ability of biological molecules to target cancer cells with the short-range cell-killing capabilities of alpha-emitting radioisotopes.
This approach results in an increased cytotoxic potential toward cancer cells while limiting toxicity to nearby healthy cells thanks to the short range of alpha ray emission in tissues (a few cell layers).
Alpha decay consists of the emission of a helium nucleus (alpha particle) together with very high linear energy transfer. This provokes irreparable DNA double strand breaks to cells in the immediate surroundings of the emission. This specific mechanism of action hinders the development of processes of resistance or immune escape in tumor cells.
As a result, alpha emitters are considered as the most powerful payloads to be found for targeted therapies
As a result, alpha emitters are considered as the most powerful payloads to be found for targeted therapies with fewer than five particles needed to kill a cancer cell versus hundreds of beta emitting isotopes or thousands of chemotherapy toxins. Another advantage of TAT is that it does not require internalization of vectors to be effective.
Finally, alpha emitters can be combined with a wide range of targeting vectors, thereby vastly increasing the potential range of TAT applications in oncology.
212Pb has all the qualities required for application in vectorized internal radiotherapy:
Two clinical trials launched by Orano Med are currently in progress: