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International consortium will use metabolic MR to improve theranostic outcomes

by Gus Iversen, Editor in Chief | October 07, 2024
Molecular Imaging
An international consortium has launched a project aimed at advancing cancer treatment using theranostics and increasing the availability of critical radioisotopes.

The program, which is called ILLUMINATE and coordinated by UMC Utrecht and led by NRG PALLAS, focuses on improving therapies for castrate-resistant metastatic prostate cancer through Metabolic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MeMRI), a technology that tracks chemical processes in the body to enhance treatment accuracy.

The four-and-a-half-year initiative, funded by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI), will be the first to translate MeMRI into clinical settings. The technology aims to improve patient outcomes by identifying those less likely to respond to Lutetium-177 (Lu-177)-based therapies and optimizing treatment doses.

“We have high expectations that MeMRI can aid in finding the best treatments for our patients as it can detect disturbed cell and energy metabolism directly after the first dose of treatment”, said project coordinator Dennis Klomp, UMC Utrecht. "We are therefore grateful for the support of IHI and all project partners in rolling out the technology into a clinical trial."

Lu-177-PSMA therapy is already used to combat advanced prostate cancer but has been less effective for around 30% of patients. MeMRI’s ability to detect metabolic changes early in treatment could prevent unnecessary side effects and improve response rates.

In addition to enhancing therapeutic outcomes, ILLUMINATE will attempt to address the growing demand for Lu-177. Current supply challenges, especially in Europe, where raw materials are imported, threaten the future availability of these treatments.
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Andrew McKusick

Re: Lutetium treatment and Disimerty

October 08, 2024 10:14

This is exciting, another means of improving patient outcomes in metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).
Current guidelines include the use of SPECT imaging following lutetium-labeled PSMA treatments to track uptake of drug in an attempt to predict the success of the drug therapy. This MR technique seems to complement the current guidelines. I am curious if this MR protocol includes the findings of the SPECT imaging.

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