WP16 – Theranostics and molecular imaging

Rationale

Current imaging strategies as MRI and planning of external radiation therapy have proven insufficient to dramatically improve the prognosis in GBM. Accordingly, game-changing new technologies are needed that can better and non-invasively phenotype and delineate biological tumour volume, e.g. for planning of radiotherapy.
With targeted radionuclide therapy, by many considered the radiotherapy of tomorrow, it is possible to obtain higher efficacy with less irradiation of a healthy brain and thereby reduce side-effects. The use of the same binding target for imaging ligands and radionuclide therapy, together known as a theranostic pair, allows for using imaging as companion diagnostic for planning and prediction of therapy.

Objectives and impact

Develop and test novel PET imaging ligands for phenotyping and treatment planning in GBM patients. We have experience in this from preclinical over translational to clinical phase.

• Develop and test new targeted radionuclide therapy for better and more gentle radiotherapy in GBM patients.
  
• Use novel PET imaging ligands for selecting and tailoring therapy in GBM patients. One example is the use of angiogenesis PET for selection and monitoring patients where anti-angiogenesis therapy is considered.

Endpoints

• Proof-of-concept in animal models of targeted radionuclide therapy in GBM.
• First GBM patient scanned with in-house developed angiogenesis PET.

Expected impact

• Game-changing new targeted radionuclide therapy for GBM patients with better efficacy and less side effects
  
• Personalized anti-angiogenesis therapy in GBM using non-invasive angiogenesis PET for selection of patients. Will lead to higher success rate and fewer non-responders.