New PET method combines antibody with radioactive isotope to improve lung cancer detection
A new molecular imaging test could improve the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer, according to researchers with the University of Alberta.
The approach combines an antibody called panitumumab with a radioactive isotope, copper-64. The combination creates a highly sensitive PET imaging method for detecting lung cancer earlier and with greater precision. What’s more, by giving providers greater insight into a tumor’s molecular footprint, the method also could reduce the need for biopsies.
“Instead of exposing the patient to an invasive biopsy, they can go and get an injection and then we can use a PET scan to help see the tumor and help physicians to determine the best course of therapy,” study co-author Afsaneh Lavasanifar, professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, suggested.
Panitumumab is already used in cancer treatment and specifically targets a protein called the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is found in many cancer cells, particularly in non-small-cell lung cancer. By attaching copper-64 to panitumumab, providers can visualize the antibody’s movement and concentration in cancer cells on PET imaging.
So far, the research team has only tested this method in mice. However, thus far it can successfully highlight not only primary lung tumors but also metastatic cancer in other organs. This could help overcome limitations of standard CT, which sometimes does not identify smaller tumors or provide details about cancer cell characteristics.
“Clinicians can use the technology to better monitor the patient’s response to a treatment at an early stage, which is a critical part of current cancer therapy to improve outcomes,” Frank Wuest, oncology professor in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the university, suggested.
Beyond diagnosis, experts believe the test also can monitor how well a patient is responding to treatment, allowing providers to adjust treatment plans when necessary. The team is now planning on examining the possibility of pairing panitumumab with copper-67, which could not only detect cancer but also deliver targeted radiation therapy to kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.