About Radiopharmaceutical Therapy & Diagnostics
A radiopharmaceutical is a drug that contains a radioactive isotope and is used for diagnosis or treatment. These compounds are designed to target specific organs, tissues, or cellular receptors, allowing for imaging or therapeutic applications.
In diagnostics, radiopharmaceuticals help visualize and assess the function of organs and tissues (e.g., PET and SPECT scans).
In therapy, in certain diseases they deliver radiation to treat conditions like cancer.
Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals contain a targeting molecule and a radioisotope, conjugated by a chelating agent. The targeting molecule binds to a tumor-specific receptor, according to the lock and key principle. In most cases the targeting molecule can be used for both diagnosis and therapy – only the radioisotope must be changed. This opens the way for the application of Theranostics in the field of Precision Oncology.
Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications of Radioisotopes in Medicine
Diagnostic Applications
For diagnostic applications, radioisotopes with shorter half-lives are typically used, though in some cases, those with longer half-lives may be utilized. When combined with highly sensitive molecular imaging technologies like PET (Positron Emission Tomography) or SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography), they enable the visualization of organs and lesions, supporting early disease detection.
Therapeutic Applications
For therapeutic applications, medical radioisotopes with longer half-lives are applied for treatment. To destroy the tumor, minimal cytotoxic doses of ionizing radiation must be delivered to the tumor site before decay. A highly precise localization of the toxicity ensures that healthy tissue in the surroundings of the targeted tumor is minimally affected.
A highly precise localization of the tumor ensures that healthy tissue in the surroundings of the targeted tumor is minimally affected.