Optimization Processes of Clinical Chelation-Based Radiopharmaceuticals for Pathway-Directed Targeted Radionuclide Therapy in Oncology

Abstract

Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) for internal pathway-directed treatment is a game changer for precision medicine. TRT improves tumor control while minimizing damage to healthy tissue and extends the survival for patients with cancer. The application of theranostic-paired TRT along with cellular phenotype and genotype correlative analysis has the potential for malignant disease management. Chelation chemistry is essential for the development of theranostic-paired radiopharmaceuticals for TRT. Among image-guided TRT, 68Ga and 99mTc are the current standards for diagnostic radionuclides, while 177Lu and 225Ac have shown great promise for β- and α-TRT, respectively. Their long half-lives, potent radiobiology, favorable decay schemes, and ability to form stable chelation conjugates make them ideal for both manufacturing and clinical use. The current challenges include optimizing radionuclide production processes, coordinating chelation chemistry stability of theranostic-paired isotopes to reduce free daughters [this pertains to 225Ac daughters 221Fr and 213Bi]-induced tissue toxicity, and improving the modeling of micro dosimetry to refine dose–response evaluation. The empirical approach to TRT delivery is based on standard radionuclide administered activity levels, although clinical trials have revealed inconsistent outcomes and normal-tissue toxicities despite equivalent administered activities. This review presents the latest optimization methods for chelation-based theranostic radiopharmaceuticals, advancements in micro-dosimetry, and SPECT/CT technologies for quantifying whole-body uptake and monitoring therapeutic response as well as cytogenetic correlative analyses.